Belgium 3-2 England LIVE RESULT: Wullaert scores brace to seal win over Lionesses as Alex Greenwood suffers head injury
BELGIUM have beaten England 3-2 on a disappointing night for Sarina Weigman's side.
The Lionesses found themselves behind early doors after a stunning free-kick from Laura De Neve put the hosts ahead.
Alex Greenwood was stretchered off in the first half after clashing heads with Belgium's Jassina Blom.
Sarina Weigman's side made it 1-1 through Lucy Bronze's excellent header before Fran Kirby put England in front minutes later.
Tessa Wullaert scored Belgium's equaliser for 2-2, then converted a penalty late in the second half to seal a 3-2 win and give the hosts 3 points in Group A1.
The defeat in Leuven leaves Sarina Wiegman’s side with a small hill to climb, with the team needing a win against Holland at Wembley in December to keep Team GB’s Olympic qualification hopes alive.
- Match result: Belgium 3-2 England
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Georgia Stanway on today’s game
"We feel good. Especially the Belgium game we played the other day, it showed who we are.
"We dominated possession, we created a lot but we didn’t get it over the line as many times as we wanted to.
"Off the back of the World Cup, you’re expected to have that phase where it’s getting back on the ball and getting used to things again. Losing a World Cup final, it is sometimes unmotivating to wake up and turn up to training every day.
"But we’ve hit the ground running in this camp, everyone has been firing in training. We’ve got people back like Fran [Kirby], which is a real highlight for us.
"There’s some moments in the Belgium game that we’ve reviewed where everyone is in the right place, it’s just whether it’s fallen in that place, it matters with the final pass, the weight of the pass.
"It’s those fine margins that are the difference between us going 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0 up.
"We’ve got to take responsibility as players. I’ve not scored in a very long time so it’s my job also to get the ball across the line.
"We need to continue what we’re doing and so far, we’ve been getting one [goal] and that’s been enough, but it would be nice to be more comfortable in games."
Credit: PA History maker
England and Man Utd goalkeeper Mary Earps finished fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings last night, becoming the highest-placed goalkeeper ever in the women’s division.
Credit: Reuters England’s Ballon d’Or results
Four England Lionesses were nominated for the Ballon d’Or last night, with Mary Earps finishing highest.
- 5 - Mary Earps
- 10 - Rachel Daly
- 11 - Millie Bright
- 23 - Georgia Stanway
Group A1
England currently sit second in Group A1, behind Netherlands but level on points with the leaders.
Credit: UEFA Sarina Wiegman on today’s game
"Belgium have improved a lot. At the end of the Euros, they were good. Unfortunately, they didn’t make the World Cup, but they were very close.
"What they’ve done lately is gotten defensively tighter so they defend a lot with five, a very compact and very low block in moments.
"But being connected and tough in defence, and also playing physically makes it hard to break down and they were very dangerous on the counter. When you give them space too, they can play a possession game.
"That’s growth from them, they’ve been in transition too… they’re becoming better and I just hope tomorrow, they’re not very good and we’re really good."
Credit: Getty Belgium substitutes
Diede Lemey, Lisa Lichtfus, Davina Philtjens, Shari Van Belle, Amy Littel, Sarah Wijnants, Isabelle Iliano, Féli Delacauw, Yana Daniels, Jody Vangheluwe, Welma Fon, Jill Janssens.
Belgium starting line-up
Nicky Evrard starts in goal with Sari Kees, Laura De Neve, Tine De Caigny, Laura Deloose and Janice Cayman in defence.
Justine Vanhaevermaet, Marie Detruyer and Kassandra Missipo start in midfield.
Jassina Blom and Tessa Wullaert lead the line.
Credit: X / @BelRedFlames England substitutes
Esme Morgan, Hannah Hampton, Ella Toone, Jess Carter, Katie Zelem, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Grace Clinton, Rachel Daly, Maya Le Tissier, Ellie Roebuck, Jess Park, Khiara Keating.
England starting line-up
Mary Earps starts in goal with Lucy Bronze, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright in defence.
Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Fran Kirby make up the midfield.
Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo form the front three.
Credit: X / @Lionesses
England team news
Lauren James missed out on Friday’s game due to a concussion picked up in training last week and she will not take part today.
Fran Kirby could start after coming off the bench in the last match - she could replace Ella Toone.
Goalscorer Lauren Hemp is also set to start.
Welcome to Belgium vs England
Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Belgium vs England.
These sides met just last week, with the Lionesses clinching a 1-0 win.
It was a dominant performance from England, but Lauren Hemp’s first-half goal was all that separated the two teams.
The Lionesses now sit second in Group A1, but that could all change this evening.