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:
Exciting times to be part of – Lucy Bronze says England on ‘upward trajectory’
The manner in which they took Belgium apart in Bristol will raise hopes that the Lionesses can defend their title at the Euros in Switzerland this summer, with confidence certainly swelling within the squad.
Exciting times to be part of – Lucy Bronze says England on ‘upward trajectory’
Belgium vs England
It looks a lovely evening in Flanders, the sun beating down as the two sides begin their warm-ups.
Team news - Belgium
Belgium are able to call upon skipper Tessa Wullaert up front. It looks like a back five again for manager Elisabet Gunnarsdottir.
Belgium XI: Lichtfus; Janssens, Deloose, Tysiak, Cayman, Philtjens; Van Haevermaet, Teulings; Detruyer, Wullaert, Eurlings.
Team news - England
Right - there are starts for Nikita Parris and Aggie Beever-Jones, though Sarina Wiegman largely resists the urge to tinker elsewhere. Jess Park is preferred to Ella Toone in a creative midfield role.
England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Charles; Walsh, Clinton; Mead, Park, Parris; Beever-Jones.
Team news on the way...
So with those issues in mind, will Sarina Wiegman consider this an ideal opportunity to rotate her Lionesses side? We should have team news shortly...
Niamh Charles not dwelling on England injuries in busy end to season
England defender Niamh Charles is narrowing her focus to prevent the Lionesses’ growing injury list from creeping into her own psyche less than three months out from Euro 2025.
With a congested calendar still ahead – including the conclusions of the Women’s Super League, FA Cup and Champions League campaigns – Chelsea full-back Charles agreed players can be tempted into worrying about becoming the next injury victim – and potentially missing out on England’s title defence this summer.
Niamh Charles not dwelling on England injuries in busy end to season
Injury issues...
And then Alessia Russo followed Arsenal teammate Chloe Kelly in withdrawing from Sarina Wiegman’s squad:
Arsenal handed Alessia Russo injury concern ahead of Champions League semi-finals
Injury issues...
All appeared well, then, for England on Friday - until some concerning injury news over the weekend. First to withdraw was Lauren James...
Lauren James withdraws from England squad to hand Chelsea injury scare
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
Sarina Wiegman praised her England team after they "kept it simple" in a 5-0 rout of Nations League opponents Belgium at Ashton Gate.
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
‘Finally got one!’ Keira Walsh scores first England goal on 83rd appearance
One goalscorer was perhaps more popular than any other for England, with Keira Walsh breaking her international duck at the 83rd attempt.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments