Overview

• A live rat briefly interrupted play in the second half of Wales vs Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium during a medical stoppage.
• Broadcast cameras captured the incident as Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tried and failed to grab the rodent.
• Wales forward Brennan Johnson ushered the animal off the field toward the perimeter, allowing play to resume shortly after.
• Belgium went on to win 4–2 in the World Cup qualifier, with no injuries reported and no disciplinary fallout from the stoppage.
• Head of operations Wayne Nash said the stadium’s proximity to orchards and railway lines can attract rats and emphasized close work with pest-control partners and immediate post-match rubbish collection.