England vs Belgium LIVE: Impressive Lionesses cruise to win as Keira Walsh scores first goal
England 5-0 Belgium: The Lionesses moved to the top of their Nations League group with a commanding display
England backed up their victory over world champions Spain with an impressive win against Belgium at Ashton Gate in the first fixture of their Nations League double-header as Keira Walsh scored her first goal for the Lionesses in her 83rd international appearance.
Lucy Bronze nodded England in front as she met the cross from Lauren James and her header deflected in. After a commanding first half, which saw Alessia Russo twice hit the post, Bronze’s header set up Millie Bright to double England’s lead from close range.
Sarina Wiegman’s substitutes made the difference in the second half to wrap up a deserved victory. Aggie Beever-Jones first came off the bench to score her first England goal, finishing off Beth Mead’s cross, before another substitute in Jess Park raced away to add a fourth.
And there was still time for midfielder Walsh, who had earlier hit the post, to score her first goal for the Lionesses, as her shot from the edge of the box was deflected in to make it a five-star night.
England will head to Belgium for the return fixture of their Nations League double-header on Tuesday, but will do so with fitness concerns over Russo and James after both were replaced at Ashton Gate.
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.
First-half goals from Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright underlined England's control of the contest, and it could have been more but Alessia Russo twice hit the post.
Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones scored her maiden Lionesses goal after 67 minutes, with no let-up from England in all areas of the pitch, before Jess Park and Keira Walsh - for a first time in 83 international appearances - also found the target.
Belgium had little answer to England's movement and passing accuracy as the hosts made it seven points from a possible nine in Group A3 ahead of Tuesday's return fixture in Leuven.
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
Lauren James hands Chelsea injury scare with half-time withdrawal in England win
Lauren James is a doubt for England’s return fixture against Belgium in the Nations League after Sarina Wiegman said the forward picked up a hamstring issue in the 5-0 win at Ashton Gate on Friday.
Wiegman confirmed that the Chelsea winger was withdrawn at half time as a precaution after feeling her hamstring, in what will be a worry for Sonia Bompastor ahead of the Champions League semi-finals.
Lauren James hands Chelsea injury scare with half-time withdrawal in England win
Sarina Wiegman: 'I do feel something's happening'
Sarina Wiegman, speaking to ITV, says that she feels “something’s happening” but urged England to keep their feet on the ground after beating Belgium.
“Tuesday's going to be a different game, so now we win 5-0 we don't all of a sudden think that we are in the best possible place,” she said. “We know we have to improve things. Belgium is a totally different opponent and Spain was and then Portugal is.
"We know where we're at and what we want to improve and we're working on it every day and we need to keep having these connections because I do feel something's happening and we're getting closer.
“In October and November last year we were trying things. We took a risk and they showed some vulnerabilities. It’s not nice but it’s ok to learn and now these games we want to win.”
Aggie Beever-Jones on her first England goal
Aggie Beever-Jones, speaking to ITV, about her first England goal:
“I can’t quite believe it. I think I was more buzzing for Keira for scoring, to be honest. I’ve been saying to her, ‘you’ve got to shoot more!’ She’s one of the most technical players I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe that. I need five or 10 minutes for it to sink it. But I’m absolutely delighted.
On her first goal: "I was on loan at Bristol, I played at this stadium before and scored before so I had a good feeling coming into it. For me I pride myself on keeping my feet on the ground and working hard and for hard work you get moments like this. It is so surreal and a dream come true'
Keira Walsh on her first England goal - after 83 games
England goalscorer Keira Walsh, speaking to ITV.
“I’m really excited. It took a big deflection but a goal is a goal. The girls are super happy for me which is a nice feeling. Finally got one in the end!
“It’s definitely [worth the wait]. A few of them reminded me how long it’s taken! Just over the moon and it’s good to be off the mark.
“It’s up there with one of my favourite games. In general, the team performance as well. We played a lot of good, attacking football. A nice evening to be a part of.”
Nations League standings after England win
Spain have defeated Portugal 4-2 away from home to end their unbeaten start. It’s England who are at the top of the standings at the midway point of the Nations League, ahead of their trip to Belgium on Tuesday. Belgium remain without a point.
1) England - two wins, one draw, no defeats - 7 points (+6)
2) Spain - two wins, no draws, one defeat - 6 points (+2)
3) Portugal - one win, one draw, one defeat - 4 points (-1)
4) Belgium - no wins, no draws, three defeats - 0 points (-7)
FULL TIME! England 5-0 Belgium
Keira Walsh was wearing the captain’s armband, too, as she scored her first England goal. That’s after Leah Williamson and Millie Bright had been replaced.
FULL TIME! England 5-0 Belgium
A brilliant night for England. Top of their Nations League group. First goals for Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones. Plus some very encouraging performances across the pitch.
They have backed up their win over Spain with an impressive showing in a game they should win.
England 5-0 Belgium
90 mins: Into stoppage time. An impressive night for England and some popular names on the scoresheet!
GOAL! England 5-0 Belgium (WALSH 88')
THERE’S A DEFLECTION BUT KEIRA WALSH HAS JUST SCORED HER FIRST ENGLAND GOAL!
Belgium clear Mead’s free kick but only to the edge of the box. It drops to Walsh, whose strike takes a touch off Vanhaevermaet and beats Evrard.
Incredibly, after 83 England games, a Euros trophy, a World Cup final and many, many more accolades, that’s her first goal for her country!
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