In a rollercoaster match, Belgium snatched a pivotal win against England in the Women’s Nations League, clouding the Lionesses’ path to the tournament’s next stage.
Belgian striker Tessa Wullaert was the star of the night, netting a pair of goals—one before and one after the interval. Her late penalty in the 85th minute sealed England’s second loss in the competition.
Adding to England’s woes, defender Alex Greenwood had to exit the field in the first half after suffering a head injury, requiring extended medical attention before being carried off on a stretcher.
England initially found themselves on the back foot after Laura de Neve, Belgium’s central defender, brilliantly bent a free-kick into the net in Leuven. Despite the setback and the alarming injury to Greenwood, England bounced back with two sensational goals from Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby. Yet, Belgium’s captain Wullaert equalized before halftime, showing England that the fight was far from over.
The English side, who had previously squeaked by Belgium with a 1-0 win in Leicester last Friday, controlled much of the game. Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly, and Fran Kirby all tested Belgian goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, while a promising shot from Lucy Bronze was thwarted by Janice Cayman.
Still, it was Belgium’s Wullaert who had the final say. After earlier being denied by England’s netminder Mary Earps—who had just been named fifth in the recent Ballon d’Or rankings—Wullaert found the back of the net to become the night’s hero.
England now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. To represent Team GB, they need to lead their Women’s Nations League group. With upcoming must-win matches against the Netherlands and Scotland in December, the pressure is on.
If England can reach the Nations League final, Team GB will secure a spot in the Paris Olympics. However, a third-place finish would suffice if France, the Olympic host nation, makes it to the final as well.
As of now, the Netherlands lead Group A1 following a 1-0 win against Scotland, putting them three points ahead of third-placed England.
Reactions and Afterthoughts
The Lionesses once again paid the price for missed opportunities. England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman’s plea for her players to show greater restraint and precision in front of the net fell on deaf ears.
Belgium’s triumph had the team elated as the final whistle blew, strengthening their bid to advance in the tournament. They currently hold the second spot in their group, trailing the Netherlands by just two points but with the advantage in head-to-head matchups.
This leaves England, the European champions and World Cup finalists as of August, in a precarious position. Fran Kirby’s return to the lineup—her first start since knee surgery in October 2022—showed promise, as did her goal to briefly put England in the lead. But in the end, Bronze’s booming header and Kirby’s finesse weren’t enough to fend off a relentless Wullaert.
Defensive mishaps and a lack of finishing have been recurring issues for the Lionesses, and they need to shake off these cobwebs if they want to keep their Olympic dreams alive.
Match Statistics
Belgium vs. England
Possession:
- Belgium: 27%
- England: 73%
Shots:
- Belgium: 5
- England: 18
Shots on Target:
- Belgium: 4
- England: 5
Corners:
- Belgium: 0
- England: 9
Fouls:
- Belgium: 10
- England: 6
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Women’s Nations League
Who scored the winning goal for Belgium against England in the Women’s Nations League match?
Tessa Wullaert scored the decisive goal for Belgium, a penalty in the 85th minute, sealing a 3-2 victory against England.
What was the significance of this match for England?
The loss has put England in a precarious position for progressing in the Women’s Nations League and thereby qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games. They now have two must-win matches against the Netherlands and Scotland in December.
How did injuries affect England’s performance?
Alex Greenwood, an England defender, was taken off the field on a stretcher in the first half due to a head injury. Her absence appeared to shake the team, although they did manage to score two goals afterward.
What was the match’s impact on group standings?
Belgium is now in a strong second place in Group A1, trailing the Netherlands by only two points but with a head-to-head advantage. England sits in third place, three points behind the group leader.
How did England’s coach, Sarina Wiegman, react to the loss?
Sarina Wiegman expressed disappointment over her team’s inability to maintain possession and capitalize on scoring opportunities, something she had emphasized before the match.
Who else stood out in the match besides Tessa Wullaert?
Fran Kirby made her return to England’s starting lineup for the first time since knee surgery in October 2022 and scored a goal. Lucy Bronze also netted a superb goal for England. Belgian goalkeeper Nicky Evrard made several crucial saves.
Was the match an upset?
Given that England are the European champions and recent World Cup finalists, the loss could be considered an upset. Belgium had already made waves earlier in the tournament by stunning the Netherlands.
How many shots on target did each team have?
Belgium had 4 shots on target while England had 5, indicating that both teams had chances but Belgium was more clinical in their finishing.
What’s next for both teams?
Belgium is in a strong position to advance in the tournament and will continue to build on their momentum. England has must-win matches against the Netherlands and Scotland in December to keep their Olympic dreams alive.
What was the possession statistic for the match?
England dominated possession with 73%, while Belgium had 27%. Despite this, Belgium was more effective in capitalizing on their opportunities.
More about Women’s Nations League
- Women’s Nations League Official Website
- UEFA Women’s Nations League: Group A1 Standings
- Belgium Women’s Football Team News
- England Women’s Football Team News
- Sarina Wiegman’s Post-Match Interview
- Tessa Wullaert’s Career Highlights
- Update on Alex Greenwood’s Injury
- Fran Kirby’s Comeback Story
- Olympic Football Qualification Guidelines
- Match Highlights: Belgium vs England in Women’s Nations League
- Mary Earps’ Ballon d’Or Ranking
- Previous Match Summary: England vs Belgium in Leicester
- Netherlands vs Scotland Match Summary
- Women’s Football Statistics and Analytics
8 comments
Man, what a match! Belgium really showed up this time, didn’t they? Wullaert is a gem, no doubt.
ugh, England had 73% possession and STILL lost? What are they doing out there, playing tic-tac-toe?
The Olympic stakes make this so much more intense. Feel like England’s gotta rethink their strategy if they wanna make it to Paris 2024.
Tessa Wullaert for president! We might not have dominated the game, but we sure as heck made our shots count.
If this match was a movie, Wullaert would get the Oscar for best actress, no question. And England? They’d win for best drama.
Seriously concerned about Greenwood. Any updates on her injury? This could be bad news for the whole squad.
So the Netherlands top the group, huh? The upcoming match against them just became a must-watch. And must-win for England obviously.
England’s inability to convert is becoming a worrying trend. They’ve got star power, but it’s like they choke when it matters most.