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:
Belgium 2-2 England
63 mins: The Netherlands have taken the lead in the other group match of the night. They’re now 1-0 up against Scotland meaning England need to win this game to stay in touch with them.
Close! Russo is slipped into the box, she collects the ball and smokes it into the side netting.
Belgium 2-2 England
66 mins: Keira Walsh chips another fine ball over to the back post to meet Lucy Bronze’s late run. Bronze keeps it alive but just sends her volley into the hands of Nicky Evrard.
Belgium 2-2 England
69 mins: Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby jog off the pitch with Sarina Wiegman bringing on Ella Toone and Rachel Daly to see out this match.
Will one of them provide an England winner?
Belgium 2-2 England
72 mins: A sharp turn from Georgia Stanway sees her get into a promising position to slot the ball into the box for Rachel Daly. Daly fails to control the ball, for what would have been a scoring opportunity, but the offside flag goes up anyway.
Belgium 2-2 England
75 mins: 15 minutes to play in Belgium and this match is far from over. The second half has been a more controlled and less open affair but both teams have created great chances.
It feels as though this match isn’t done and there’ll be a twist in the tale yet. Which way will it go?
Belgium 2-2 England
77 mins: Lauren Hemp swings a cross into the box from the left wing and finds Rachel Daly. Daly attempts a first time volley but doesn’t catch it right and scuffs her effort wide of the back post.
Belgium 2-2 England
80 mins: Close!
Patient build-up play from England sees them move the ball over to the right side of the pitch where Lauren Hemp has the ball. She sends it inside to Keira Walsh who floats a great pass into the box.
Rachel Daly leaps up and wins the header but her effort is pushed wide of the target by Nicky Evrard!
Penalty to Belgium!
Belgium 2-2 England
83 mins: Drama! Yana Daniels brings the ball into the box from the left side. She darts inside of Lucy Bronze and shoots. Georgia Stanway leaps to block the effort but sticks out a hand and stops the ball.
The referee points to the spot immediately. Huge moment.
GOAL! Belgium 3-2 England (Wullaert, 85’)⚽️
85 mins: Tessa Wullaert steps up to take the penalty for Belgium. She targets the bottom left corner as Mary Earps leaps across to her right.
It’s the correct decision but even she can’t reach the ball and it sneaks in to give the hosts the lead!
Belgium 3-2 England
88 mins: Time is running out for England. They’ve played well enough to win this match from an attacking point of view but defensively they’ve been pulled apart too often.
Lucy Bronze wins a corner. Is there one last chance for the Lionesses to equalise?
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