England vs Belgium LIVE: result and reaction as Lauren Hemp early goal gives Lionesses win in Nations League
England return to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Belgium in the Nations League
England returned to winning ways as the Lionesses beat Belgium in the Women’s Nations League clash in Leicester.
The European champions and World Cup runners-up defeated Scotland in Sunderland to open their Nations League campaign but then suffered just their third defeat under Sarina Wiegman in a 2-1 loss at the Netherlands.
The result had put England in third place in Group A1 ahead of the double-header against Belgium, who lead the standings on four points following their win against Scotland and draw against the Netherlands.
But the Lionesses found just enough on the night to beat Belgium, although it was far from the clinical performance they would have wanted. Despite dominating possession and chances, they were only able to find the net once and that left the game more open than it could have been.
The Lionesses must win their group to advance to the Nations League Finals, and must then get through the semi-finals to book Team GB’s qualification spot for next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
Follow for all the latest updates from the King Power Stadium:
HT: England 1-0 Belgium
HT: England have deserved their lead, but they have been unable to add a crucial second and Belgium remain in with a chance of securing something here.
The Lionesses have dominated chances and possession, but it’s still a slim margin to lead by.
England 1-0 Belgium
45+1’ It was a clever corner that picked out De Caigny at the near post, she hooked it in an attempt to secure another shot on target but it went into the side netting.
England 1-0 Belgium
45’ Belgium will have a corner from that after a clever headed move and some scrappy play from England.
England 1-0 Belgium
44’ England have been a bit too keen to try and win the ball back at times, there have been a few careless free-kicks and there’s another one just inside the Lionesses’ half on the stroke of half time.
England 1-0 Belgium
43’ Russo has a shot after being played in by Kelly but the angle was tight and the goalkeeper was able to hold on to the shot.
England 1-0 Belgium
41’ Belgium have a corner, but England deal with the initial ball and are able to clear.
England 1-0 Belgium
40’ Having just had a shot at the other end, Bright has made a good block in her own penalty box to dispel a rare Belgium attack.
England 1-0 Belgium
39’ Hemp wins the ball on the right and finds Stanway, but she can’t get the cross in and Belgium will have another free kick.
England 1-0 Belgium
38’ Greenwood’s corner was perfectly curled into the box, but it was defended and cleared by Belgium.
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