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:
England vs Belgium team news
Sarina Wiegman has made three changes to the Lionesses team that were beaten last month by the Netherlands.
Kiera Walsh returns while there are also starts for Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles.
Katie Zelem, Jess Carter, Rachel Daly were all dropped to the bench, while Lauren James is unavailable and Lucy Parker has an ankle problem.
England XI: Earps, Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Charles, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Hemp, Russo, Kelly.
Subs: Morgan, Hampton, Kirby, Carter, Zelem, Wubben-Moy, Clinton, Daly, Le Tissier, Roebuck, Park, Keating.
England vs Belgium
Here is another women’s football story that concerns many of the Lionesses:
Chelsea have been drawn against Real Madrid and Arsenal’s conquerors Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League group stage.
Emma Hayes’ side, beaten finalists in 2021, will also face Swedish outfit Hacken in Group D.
French side Paris beat last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal on penalties in the first qualifying round on their way to this phase of the competition for the first time.
Chelsea learn Women’s Champions League draw after Arsenal and Man Utd exits
Chelsea were drawn in Group D along with Real Madrid, Paris FC and Hacken
England vs Belgium
England have arrived at the King Power Stadium and here are some photos:
England vs Belgium
England star Fran Kirby has been named in the Lionesses squad for the first time in eight months after returning from a knee injury - but Beth Mead misses out despite her own recovery from a ruptured ACL.
Kirby and Mead were key players as England won the Euros but both missed out on this summer’s Women’s World Cup because of significant injuries, and were major absentees as the Lionesses were defeated by Spain in the Sydney final.
Kirby underwent surgery at the end of last season and made her first start of the campaign in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over West Ham at the weekend - Mead, however, only returned to the pitch on Sunday as a late substitute in Arsenal’s 2-1 comeback win against Aston Villa, where she set up Alessia Russo’s winner.
Fran Kirby returns to Lionesses squad as Sarina Wiegman reveals Beth Mead decision
Kirby returns after missing the Women’s World Cup due to injury - but this month’s double-header against Belgium has come too soon for fellow Euros winner Mead
England vs Belgium
England will look to get back to winning ways as the Lionesses host Belgium in the Women’s Nations League tonight 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 puts 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.
Is England vs Belgium on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses tonight
England have slipped to third in Women’s Nations League Group A1 ahead of this week’s double-header with Belgium
Good evening!
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Lionesses’ Nations League fixture against Belgium from the King Power Stadium. Sarina Weigman’s side got their campaign off to a winning start against Scotland but a dramatic defeat against the Netherlands leaves them in third place ahead of their double-header against Belgium.
Tonight could see the return of Fran Kirby after her year-long absence from the national team, but England will be without Chelsea’s Lauren James after the winger was ruled out with a concussion.
Stay tuned for all the latest build-up and team news ahead of kick-off!
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