Belgium vs England LIVE: Women’s Nations League result and reaction as Wullaert scores late winning penalty
Belgium 3-2 England: The Lionesses slump to defeat in Belgium and face uphill battle to reach Nations League semi-finals
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England suffered a big blow to their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Nations League as a brilliantly entertaining contest against Belgium was won by the hosts.
Too often in the match the Lionesses were caught on their heels and forced to scramble back in defence as the Belgians came forward on the counter-attack. A foul just outside the box set up Laura De Neve to whip home a fantastic free kick which put the home side ahead.
A collision between Jassina Blom and Alex Greenwood saw the England defender stretchered off the pitch after a long delay. England responded to the break better, they equalised off the head of Lucy Bronze before Fran Kirby slotted home a cool finish to get them in front.
Another counter was the Lionesses’ undoing though as Tessa Wullaert beat Mary Earps with a shot across the box before a late penalty, due to a handball from Georgia Stanway, decided proceedings as Wullaert earned her team a famous victory.
Relive the action from Belgium vs England below:
Belgium vs England
England lost their last away game, losing 2-1 to Netherlands in the Nations League in September – not since January 2007 have they lost successive away games, losing to Germany (5-1) and China PR (2-0).
Belgium vs England
The Lionesses ended a run of conceding in five successive games following their 1-0 win over Belgium last time out, only once in 2023 so far have they recorded shutouts in successive games, doing so in a run of three games in July.
Lionesses ready to exceed victory ‘expectations’, insists Sarina Wiegman ahead of Nations League clash
England coach Sarina Wiegman says the Lionesses are under no illusions about what is expected of them these days, insisting England are ready to keep producing victories game after game.
A stellar run over the past few years has seen the women’s national team win the European Championship and reach the Women’s World Cup final, where they lost to Spain.
Now they are targeting success in the Uefa Nations League – and a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics too for Team GB – and face Belgium in their fourth Group A1 game. Wiegman says the squad are comfortable with the pressures on them, and believes they can improve on the 1-0 victory over the same opposition last week.
Lionesses ready to exceed victory ‘expectations’, insists Wiegman
England face Belgium in their fourth Group A1 match
Belgium vs England
Belgium have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions (two draws, four defeats), beating Netherlands 2-1 in the Nations League in September.
Belgium vs England
No player has scored more goals for England in 2023 than Lauren Hemp (five – level with Alessia Russo) after netting the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture.
Only Lauren James (eight) has more goal involvements this calendar year for England than Hemp (Six – five goals, one assist).
Belgium vs England
Chloe Kelly has created more chances for England than any other player in the Nations League so far (8), seven of which have been from open play.
Only four players across the competition have created more such opportunities (Katie McCabe and Mariona Caldentey both 9, Klara Bühl and Ana Borges both eight).
Belgium vs England
Here come the players. England need to win to ensure they don’t lose ground in the table to the Netherlands. They have good memories and results against Belgium.
Can the Lionesses earn another victory tonight? Kick off is up next...
Kick off! Belgium 0-0 England
Alessia Russo kicks off the match and sends the ball to Keira Walsh. The Lionesses send the ball back to the defence and try to draw the Belgians out of shape early in this match.
A cross-field pass comes out to Lauren Hemp who manages to win a throw in deep inside the host’s half.
Belgium 0-0 England
3 mins: On Friday night, Belgium had a tendancy to stay deep and invite pressure from the Lionesses who dominated possession.
It seems they’ve been told to do something similar tonight as Jassina Blom is the only willing runner when the home side turn over the ball in midfield.
The pass doesn’t come to her and England regain the ball.
Belgium 0-0 England
6 mins: Chance! The first opportunity of the match falls to Belgium after they turn the ball over in the middle of the pitch once again.
The ball is played across to Jassina Blom who threads a fine pass in between the England centre-backs setting Tessa Wullaert in behind the lines.
Alex Greenwood does well to get back and challenge her just as she enters the box but Wullaert manages to get a shot away and Mary Earps palms it over the top.
The offside flag then goes up so the goal wouldn’t have counted even if it was scored.
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