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.
England 2-0 Belgium
59 mins: A second change for England: Jess Park is replacing Ella Toone in what should be a straight swap. Park played on the right wing against Portugal and Spain but wants to be a midfielder for England. She will get a chance at No 10 for the final half hour.
England 2-0 Belgium
58 mins: England haven’t been able to get the Mead-Russo-Bronze combination going again in this half. At the other end, Missipo gets around Bronze but Bright is there to clear her cross at the front post.
England 2-0 Belgium
55 mins: Beever-Jones was racing away after getting on the end of a Russo knockdown. Janssens takes the winger down on the halfway line and is booked.
England 2-0 Belgium
53 mins: Clinton takes a look at goal after jumping onto a loose ball in midfield and driving onto her left foot. She slices wide but there was good intent.
England 2-0 Belgium
50 mins: Dangerous from Mead! She fizzes an excellent cross into the box and goalkeeper Evrard does well to punch away. Russo floats a header over the bar.
England 2-0 Belgium
47 mins: Good defence from Bronze as she faced up with Eurlings in the box and stuck out a well-timed leg. England deal with the danger and clear.
England 2-0 Belgium
46 mins: A chance for Aggie Beever-Jones in the second half. She’s replacing Lauren James at the break. ITV are saying that James has a slight thigh injury.
Beever-Jones replacing James means there are still six Chelsea players on the pitch.
HALF TIME! England 2-0 Belgium
Some of the link-up play between the England players has been superb tonight. The movement between Bronze, Mead and Russo, with the passes from deep from Walsh and Williamson, have caused Belgium tons of problems.
Now, can England keep this up and build on their advantage? Elsewhere in the Nations League, Spain are leading Portugal 3-1 with 55 minutes played.
HALF TIME! England 2-0 Belgium
A very good first half from England, who lead thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and could have been further in front after Alessia Russo twice hit the post.
Speaking of, a slight concern for England as Russo was holding her knee after hitting the post for the second time.
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