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 2-0 England, 26 minutes
Belgium have done a good job in preventing England from settling into any kind of stable possession.
Belgium 2-0 England, 24 minutes
That’s very good defending from Janice Cayman. Millie Bright peels out to the back post and looks to connect with Beth Mead’s dangerous delivery, though can’t shake her Belgian marker. Cayman’s head flicks ball against Bright’s boot to ensure it is a goal kick, too.
Belgium 2-0 England, 22 minutes
A sliding Millie Bright clatters through Tessa Wullaert. No caution for the England centre back.
Belgium 2-0 England, 21 minutes
Another glimpse of an opportunity for Belgium goes awry when Tessa Wullaert fails to find fellow forward Hannah Eurlings.
Belgium 2-0 England, 18 minutes
This just looks a totally different Belgium team to the one that played in Bristol, buoyed by being back at home and a couple of key returnees.
GOAL! BELGIUM 2-0 England (Justine Vanhaevermaet, 16 minutes)
But Justine Vanhaevermaet soon strikes!
A second inside 16 minutes for Belgium! It’s a superb free-kick delivery from the left by Tessa Wullaert, whipped and well-weighted to allow the tall midfielder to attack it. She gets above Leah Williamson and sends a header looping inexorably into the far corner.
Belgium 1-0 England, 15 minutes
Lovely footwork from Hannah Eurlings, jinking past a couple as she forays into the England box, but it’s a really poor pass from the left forward, searching for teammate Justine Vanhaevermaet in the ‘D’ and playing it three or four yards off line. In nips a Lioness to clear.
Belgium 1-0 England, 12 minutes
Belgium are finding ways around the advancing England lines. Niamh Charles sorts her feet out in the nick of time to volley a clearance away having briefly appeared to have been beaten by the flight of a curving pass.
Belgium 1-0 England, 10 minutes
This is a much, much better start from Belgium. They break the shackles of the English press thanks to some neat initial work from recalled goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus, with Tessa Wullaert also showing well in the movement as she drops a little deeper.
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