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Bale decries 'sloppy mistakes' as Wales lose 2022 World Cup qualifying opener in Belgium

Gareth Bale has lamented Wales' "sloppy mistakes" in their 3-1 defeat to Belgium on Wednesday as they made an inauspicious start to their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Tottenham winger assisted the free-flowing opener by sliding a through ball to Harry Wilson, before Belgium answered with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.

The latter two goals appeared preventable, as the diminutive Hazard was allowed a free header in front of goal and Lukaku was granted a spot-kick when team-mate Dries Mertens was clumsily dragged down.

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