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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

Harry Latham-Coyle
Tuesday 08 April 2025 21:46 BST
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(Getty Images)

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 1-0 England, 5 minutes

Well that will rather focus English minds after encountering limited resistance on Friday. It did look a little too easy for Belgium to break beyond them, there - work to do for Sarina Wiegman’s side.

Sarina Wiegman’s side are behind early on
Sarina Wiegman’s side are behind early on (PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:37

GOAL! BELGIUM 1-0 England (Tessa Wullaert, 4 minutes)

What a start for Belgium! A clinical finish from Tessa Wullaert!

Back in the side and back amongst the goals! Niamh Charles is caught too deep as the rest of the Englnad backline try to play offside, allowing the home skipper to run free down the right. Hannah Hampton closes the angle but Wullaert is good enough to find a finish, a friendly kiss off the inside of the post giving the hosts the fastest of starts.

(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:35

Belgium 0-0 England, 2 minutes

Some neat play down the left from England with Jess Park and Niamh Charles working well, but Grace Clinton doesn’t quite have the burst to capitalise on a forward pass.

Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:33

Belgium 0-0 England, 1 minute

Nikita Parris is through the centre for England, supported by Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones in the forward line. It looks like a back three or five again for the hosts, as we anticipated.

(AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:32

KICK OFF!

Underway in Leuven.

Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:30

Belgium vs England

Into the Leuven evening the players emerge, the temperature dropping a bit and a decent crowd in. England’s last away defeat came here at Den Dreef - those that have travelled to Flanders (and there are a fair few) will be hoping not to see a repeat.

Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:25

Belgium vs England

Now then - a pretty punchy statement from Sarina Wiegman ahead of kick off, confirming what her recent selections have revealed: Hannah Hampton is now England’s No 1

“At this moment, she is a little bit ahead [of Mary Earps,]” Wiegman tells ITV. “We have two world-class goalkeepers, and a group of four goalkeepers who are really good, so it is tough choice. But at the moment, Hannah is a little bit ahead.”

Hannah Hampton has usurped Mary Earps
Hannah Hampton has usurped Mary Earps (The FA via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:24

Can Beth Mead impress again?

One of the big winners of England’s outing at Bristol was Beth Mead, perhaps beginning to come under pressure for her place as other talents emerge but producing a timely reminder of her quality on the right-hand side. She might be even more important a figure tonight in a forward line shorn of Alessia Russo and Lauren James - though Nikita Parris has plenty of experience, of course.

(The FA via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:15

Euro 2025 fixtures, dates and kick-off times

Planning a trip to Switzerland and need a reminder of what the schedule looks like this summer? We’ve got you covered:

Euro 2025 fixtures, dates and kick-off times as England and Wales learn group draw

The Lionesses will be defending their European crown when the tournament kicks off in Switzerland in July
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 19:05

England’s Euro 2025 squad: Who’s on the plane and who’s got work to do?

Chances tonight, then, for a few of those on the fringes to present their case for Euros selection to Sarina Wiegman. Our Jamie Braidwood has assessed all of those perhaps in contention to come up with a suggested squad for the tournament:

England’s Euro 2025 squad: Who’s on the plane and who’s got work to do?

The Lionesses have been left with several major injury doubts ahead of this summer’s Euros in Switzerland while new faces push for a place in the squad
Harry Latham-Coyle8 April 2025 18:50

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