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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 England (De Neve, 9’) ⚽️
9 mins: Belgium take the lead! The hosts win a free kick just outside England’s penalty area after more positive play put the Lionesses on the back foot.
Laura De Neve steps up to take the set piece, she whips the ball past the wall and beats Mary Earps on the near side. The ball rattles into the back of the net and England are behind!
Belgium 1-0 England
12 mins: This is not the start Sarina Wiegman would have been hoping for. She wanted her team to be more composed and ruthless in the the final third and now England will need to show they can be.
Belgium have been the better side in these opening stages though and they can be a troublesome team to break down.
Belgium 1-0 England
14 mins: Close! Niamh Charles bombs forward on the overlap and wins a corner for England. Chloe Kelly swings the ball into the box and it drops fortuitously for Lucy Bronze.
She can only turn it towards goal and there’s no power behind the shot meaning Belgium work it away.
Millie Bright collects the loose ball and sends it back to Bronze who shoots from range this time and lifts her effort over the crossbar.
Belgium 1-0 England
17 mins: England are full of creativity and surprises. They’re flicking balls over the top, making runs through the channels and trying to piush forward at every opportunity.
Belgium don’t look troubled though and they’re defending well.
Belgium 1-0 England
20 mins: Jassina Blom and Alex Greenwood collide with each other as both players leap up to win an aerial ball. The pair clash heads and immediately stay on the ground.
The medical staff are onto the scene quickly and there’s a break in the game as the players receive some treatment.
Belgium 1-0 England
22 mins: Alex Greenwood hasn’t moved since the incident and doesn’t look to be in a good way. A stretcher has been brought onto the pitch for the England defender.
Jassina Blom meanwhile has sat up and looks okay.
Belgium 1-0 England
25 mins: Jassina Blom has had medical tape wrapped around her head as part of her treatment and she’s back on her feet. She heads over to the side of the pitch and seems determined to play on.
Alex Greenwood is still on the ground.
Belgium 1-0 England
27 mins: Greenwood getting ready to be stretchered off the pitch. The medical staff are taking their time to make sure it is safe to move her.
The England players seem happy that Greenwood will be okay and have started to warm-up again, as have the Belgium team.
Belgium 1-0 England
30 mins: Alex Greenwood is taken off the pitch on the stretcher with the crowd applauding her as she departs. That’s going to be the end of her match following the head clash with Jassina Blom.
Jess Carter comes on to replace her for the Lionesses.
Belgium 1-0 England
33 mins: That break was roughly around 10 minutes meaning there’s going to be a whole heap of added time to play at the end of this first half.
Lucy Bronze attempts to slip Chloe Kelly in down the right side but overhits her pass and sends the ball out of play.
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