CHERRIES defender Chris Mepham played 90 minutes as Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium to secure home advantage in their World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final.

Kevin De Bruyne silenced a noisy Cardiff crowd inside 12 minutes, but Kieffer Moore equalised before half-time to give Wales the point they craved.

Already guaranteed a play-off spot through their Nations League results, Wales were determined to secure a home tie in March by finishing second in Group E.

The point was enough to finish above the Czech Republic and take their place among the six seeded teams in the play-offs.

Turkey needed to win by four goals in Montenegro to deny Wales a home tie but could only manage a 2-1 victory.

Centre-back Mepham now has 26 senior appearances for the Dragons, having made his debut in March 2018.

Elsewhere, Jefferson Lerma played 80 minutes of Colombia’s goalless World Cup qualifier with Paraguay.

Gavin Kilkenny completed the full game for the Republic of Ireland under-21s in a 1-0 victory over Sweden.

Oliver O’Neill’s late winner proved the difference for the hosts at Tallaght Stadium in their European qualifier.

Ireland now trail second-placed Italy by three points and leaders Sweden by four in Group F.