The Lionesses are back in action as they host Belgium this evening in the first of two consecutive matches in the Nations League. England will host their opponents at Ashton Gate in Bristol before heading to Leuven for the following game on Tuesday night. Sarina Wiegman’s charges have won one and drawn one from their opening two fixtures so far but the manager has her sights set on this summer’s Euro 2025 campaign as well as finishing top of Group A3. England defeated world champions Spain at Wembley last month following an opening draw against Portugal in Portimao but will be wary of Belgium after a defeat to them in their most recent meeting in October 2023. Follow all the action from the Nations League with our live blog below as England face Belgium:
HALF TIME! England 2-0 Belgium A very good first half from England, who lead thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and could have been further in front after Alessia Russo twice hit the post. Speaking of, a slight concern for England as Russo was holding her knee after hitting the post for the second time.
GOAL! England 2-0 Belgium (BRIGHT 45') ENGLAND DOUBLE THEIR LEAD ON HALF-TIME! For the second time, England strike from a corner. Mead’s inswinging cross is touched on by Bronze at the front post and Bright is in the right place at the right time to force it over the line at the back stick. Just what England deserve after a strong end to the half.
England 1-0 Belgium 44 mins: Brilliant move - again. Belgium just can’t deal with Mead and she is released once more with a cutting pass from Walsh. Mead goes herself this time, but Evrard saves to her right. England 1-0 Belgium 41 mins: OFF THE POST AGAIN! Another super England move on the right, with Mead played in with a lovely pass around the corner. Mead pulled it back to Russo and for the second time the Arsenal striker clips the outside of the post with a first-time effort. Very unlucky.
England 1-0 Belgium 38 mins: The offside flag is up again for Missipo, as Bronze stepped up. It really does feel that Bronze, at 33, is as important for England as ever ahead of the Euros, so good both in defence and attack down the right for the Lionesses and Chelsea.
England 1-0 Belgium 35 mins: Super strength from Russo to beat Iliano for pace and then hold off the Belgium defender. It almost lead to a chance but Russo and Mead got in each other’s way. England 1-0 Belgium 33 mins: Janssens looks to break beyond Bronze but the England right back stepped up to catch her offside. Belgium are very direct. England 1-0 Belgium 31 mins: England look to be clever from the free kick 30 yards out. Mead rolls it through to James and her cross towards the back post is not too far away from Bright.
HT: England 2 Belgium 0 A comfortable half’s work for England who have caused Belgium all manner of problems with attacks funnelled down the right flank through Beth Mead. They have also looked dangerous from wide deliveries into the penalty area. Russo has been heavily involved and has struck the post twice. 42 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0 Russo hits the post again! Almost a carbon copy of her first chance. Walsh release Mead, Belgium all at sea down their left against defensively, and Russo swept a shot against the near-post. The in-form Arsenal striker can count herself unfortunate not to be on the scoresheet in this half. As she gets up off the turf, Russo is flexing her knee. We’ve seen that Mead-Russo link-up twice now - and on both occasions Russo has hit the woodwork. Perhaps it will be third time lucky for the striker...
40 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0 Belgium have tightened up in the last 10 minutes and have at least stemmed the flow of dangerous England attacks. The home team are moving the ball around patiently, with Clinton picking up space in midfield and finding Mead down the right. Charles with a loose pass inside from left-back before she recovers impressively. James impressing England have been the better side by some distance and there has not been a better player on the pitch than Lauren James. The Chelsea winger’s delivery into the box has been England’s most dangerous weapon in attack and Lucy Bronze’s goal came from her pass. Encouragingly, James also appears to have added a greater game awareness to her armoury and she is working really hard off the ball to help the team win the ball back. Sarina Wiegman will be keeping everything crossed that she remains fit until the start of the Euros in July.
36 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0 This could be a match-specific tactic tailored to Belgium’s weaknesses, but England’s right flank has been far more menacing than the left at the moment. Toone and James are rotating between the left-side role and the No 10 position. Belgium enjoying a rare spell of territory in England’s half. 33 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0 In the other match in this Nations League group, Spain are 3-1 up away at Portugal. Hannah Hampton has been pretty much a spectator so far. That might not be the best thing if the idea is to impress and see off the challenge of Mary Earps. But goalkeepers are a bit like referees; you barely notice the best ones.
30 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0 Belgium skipper Cayman penalised for handball and England have another chance to deliver into the box from quality with a free-kick. James over it. James plays a short one and goes for the one-two with Mead, standing up a delicious cross from the byline but it was just too high for a finish to be applied by Russo.
27 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0 Bronze at full stretch to get studs to the ball in a vital defensive intervention in her own penalty area. There was a loose pass across midfield from England and Janssens burst forward into the space vacated by Charles. Williamson cleared the cross to the edge of the box and Bronze nicked the ball clear when it looked like a snap shot was on the way.
