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When Wales makes their eight-hour return from Kazakhstan, there will be plenty of time to reflect on a challenging night in Astana.

But Ashley Williams’ analysis was simple when the ultimate destination is the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the summer of 2010.

He once said, “For games like this, it’s just that you get the three points, board the plane, and drive home.”

Wales lead the group with 10 points, two points ahead of North Macedonia, who have a game in hand, after Kieffer Moore’s goal in Kazakhstan was sufficient to earn an uncomfortable win.

However, Belgium should be on your radar. With two games in hand, Wales are now three points clear of them thanks to their 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

A hold up.

Before returning to qualifying action, Wales now have back-to-back friendly games against Canada in Swansea on Tuesday (5:00 BST) and England at Wembley on the first day of the month.

Belgium, on the other hand, plays three home games on Sunday against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia on October 10.

With a win, Wales would be three points clear of Wales at the start of a defining game on October 13 when Wales welcome Belgium to Cardiff City Stadium.

After winning in Astana, captain Ben Davies summed up the biggest game they had ahead of them, but we had to put ourselves in a position where it is crucial. “We had to put ourselves in a position where it is important,” he said.

Wales simply needs to win to be considered automatic. and triumph. and triumph.

Wales’ wriggle room was eliminated by the dramatic defeat in Brussels and the draw in March in Skopje against North Macedonia. With two games left, the Red Devils are likely to be ahead by six points if they lose to Belgium in Cardiff.

And a home tie with Liechtenstein is one of those final games for Belgium, following their lengthy trip to Kazakhstan.

A point from either of those would be sufficient to defame Wales’ direct qualification in that situation.

In contrast, Bellamy’s side could potentially end their season against Belgium on points with the former world number one ranked side in their final two games.

Former Astana striker Nathan Blake remarked, “If we can get three points off them, they must come to a place like this and get three points with the pressure on.”

It depends on the difference between goals and not the opposing team.

With two games in hand, Belgium is already two goals better than Wales.

In other words, Wales must hope that Belgium also loses points elsewhere if they defeat Belgium at home.

Particularly when you consider that Liechtenstein’s final home game is against them.

Rudi Garcia’s side could only manage a draw in Skopje, but the optimism of Wales fans will be heightened by their encounter with North Macedonia.

Fans will be anxious for the first few weeks in March.

The format was used similarly to the format in recent years, and that is how Wales won the previous World Cup in Qatar.

When two teams are split into four paths, they will encounter a one-legged semi-final and one-legged final. If both teams win, they will qualify.

North Macedonia will still have a say in this group, and they will be hoping to take the helm in Cardiff in November, as former striker Sam Vokes pointed out.

Wales are in complete control of the Play-Offs as one of the Nations League group winners in the event of a worst-case scenario.

Wales would likely win the play-off spot if Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, and England finished first or second overall in their group.

Although it comes with a warning, it is a useful safety net.

The Nations League contenders are placed in the pot four automatically, with the playoffs starting on September 1st, 2016. In other words, if Wales came in third place, they would face a top-ranked opponent in the semi-final.

Simply put, it signifies Bellamy’s side’s only source of inspiration heading into each of their final three games.

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

After making it to the final on Saturday, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will compete to win the US Open men’s doubles title. They will attempt to become the first all-British pair since 1903.

Salisbury and Skupski, who were the only pair to compete in the first match of the season, rallied from set sets and break points to defeat 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

After losing at the French Open, the pair are competing for their first Grand Slam of their own.

After defeating American duo Robert Cash and JJ Tracy 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos, who defeated them in Paris, will face off in the final.

Skupski and Salisbury have both previously competed in the US Open men’s doubles final, but they are not on the same team.

Salisbury defeated Skupski and Wesley Koolhof to win three straight US Open titles, including three straight against American partner Rajeev Ram from 2021-23.

After Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool captured the Wimbledon doubles title, they would become the second all-British pair to win a major this year.

Salisbury said, “It would be great to put that right.”

There have been many British Grand Slam victories, but there aren’t many with all-British pairings.

It’s great that there are now a few top clubs, and it would be great if we were an all-British pairing in history.

After an exchange of breaks, India’s Venus and India’s Bhambri won a tight opening set on a tie-break, but the roles were switched in the third.

Salisbury and Skupski continued that momentum into the third period by breaking the first-game record.

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion, came back from set down to defeat Jessica Pegula.

Fourth seed Pegula was on course to avenge her defeat by Sabalenka as the American home hope won the opening set in a repeat of the showpiece from the previous year.

The Belarusian, however, managed to maintain her emotions and win a fortifying 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory to advance to a fourth Grand Slam singles title.

Before Pegula and Sabalenka resurrected after going a break up in the decider, the world number one had to save four break points before sealing the victory.

When asked what she was thinking at the time, Sabalenka responded, “I was just praying inside and hoping for the best.”

She played excellent tennis as usual, and I had to work really hard to get this win.

“I’m hoping I can make it all the way again.”

Sabalenka has now reached six hard-court Grand Slam finals in a row, despite not having won a significant title in 2025.

In Saturday’s showpiece, she will face American Amanda Anisimova or two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka.

Given that she reached the final at the Australian and French Opens, Sabalenka’s season has been disappointing in terms of Grand Slam success.

She also advanced to Wimbledon’s semi-finals, but on all three occasions, the 27-year-old’s emotions became too much.

She struggled throughout the Australian Open final in January, where Madison Keys outperformed her.

Her defeat at Roland Garros came from Coco Gauff, who had an unforced error count of 70, while Anisimova had no bravery to match.

She appeared to have put her early career behind her when she won three Grand Slam titles in just 20 months, and the collapses in composure were reminiscent of that time.

However, Sabalenka’s heartbreak came as a result as Pegula, who had been cheered up by a raucous crowd, won the first set.

A booming forehand winner was Sabalenka’s first blow to break early, but a subpar service performance gave Pegula a chance to get back in the opener.

As more unforced errors entered the top seed’s game, the audience resolutely supported Pegula, who broke once more and wrapped up the opener in style with a confident love hold.

After a brief off-court break before the second set, Sabalenka returned with renewed tenacity and quickly rose to 3-0 after her shot-making was more methodical.

With an immediate break, Sabalenka took control of the decision, which would have allowed her to survive the remainder of the set.

The wait for Pegula’s first Grand Slam title is on.

After falling to Sabalenka in her first major final, the 31-year-old left the previous year’s tournament empty-handed.

The same opponent posed a greater threat this time around, but it was overly determined in the crucial moments.

Despite losing, New York native Pegula has many advantages to consider.

After making it to the final at Flushing Meadows last year, Pegula was unable to advance beyond the fourth round of the following three Grand Slams and was humiliated to lose to a ranked 116th-ranked player in the first round.

She entered New York with shaky form, winning just two of her previous four matches.