Belgium vs England LIVE: Result and reaction as Lionesses suffer Nations League defeat
Belgium 3-2 England: A dream start for the hosts helped them get revenge for a 5-0 drubbing in Bristol last week
Belgium produced a stunning first-half performance to upset England in Leuven for a second time in three years.
Having been beaten 5-0 in Bristol on Friday, the hosts were much improved with returning skipper Tessa Wullaert making a major impact. The forward scored twice and set up another as Belgium surged into a 3-0 advantage, cutting the Lionesses to ribbons with their counter-attacking play. Without Alessia Russo and Lauren James due to injury, Sarina Wiegman’s side lacked quality and could not get into their flow of possession.
Beth Mead’s first-half penalty gave them a foothold but it took until late on for England to grab a second as debutant Michelle Agyemang made a remarkable first impression at international level. Her sublime take and volleyed finish gave the visitors hope of a late equaliser but it did not arrive, with Belgium deserved winners in the Women’s Nations League.
Re-live all of the action from Leuven in our live blog below:
Belgium 3-1 England, 45 minutes
Just the one additional minute to be played.
Belgium 3-1 England, 43 minutes
Bronze is beginning to get more and more involved. Another powerful surge forward results in a half-chance for Aggie Beever-Jones, who can’t keep her header down.
Belgium 3-1 England, 41 minutes
What a defensive header! Lucy Bronze’s whipped cross looks ripe for Nikita Parris to head home, yet Laura Deloose somehow manages to beat the England striker to the ball and contort it away.
Belgium 3-1 England, 39 minutes
That’s Beth Mead’s first England goal in nearly a year. This has been a timely return to form for the Arsenal winger.
Nikita Parris has a speculative effort from 30 yards or so but troubles only the patrons in the rows towards the end of the alphabet.
Belgium 3-1 England, 37 minutes
England hadn’t really looked like scoring before that chance was gifted to them. They will know, though, that if they can get their attacking game going then they have the capacity to rip Belgium to ribbons, as they did last week.
GOAL! Belgium 3-1 ENGLAND (Beth Mead, 35 minutes)
Up Beth Mead steps...and in it goes!
Perfectly placed into the corner. A route back for England?
PENALTY! Belgium 3-0 England, 33 minutes
How England needed that! Beth Mead gets to a ball first in the box and is wiped out by Davina Philtjens - to the spot the referee points...
Belgium 3-0 England, 31 minutes
Nearly a fourth! Hannah Hampton makes her first save of the game, and crikey did she have to with Jill Janssens sprung free again. Hampton thrusts out her left foot to deny the wing-back at the near post.
GOAL! BELGIUM 3-0 England (Tessa Wullaert, 29 minutes)
It’s three! A remarkable half for Belgium!
Oh, would you believe it. Sarina Wiegman turns away in fury and frustration as England are carved apart again. There’s all sorts of room for a rampaging Davina Philtjens with Lucy Bronze caught high up the pitch, and then it is all about the driven cross from the left-wing-back. It’s low, fizzing and perfectly bisecting the space between Hannah Hampton and her defence, leaving Tessa Wullaert with a tap-in. Wow! What a turnaround from the reverse meeting!
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