England vs Belgium LIVE: result and reaction as Lauren Hemp early goal gives Lionesses win in Nations League
England return to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Belgium in the Nations League
England returned to winning ways as the Lionesses beat Belgium in the Women’s Nations League clash in Leicester.
The European champions and World Cup runners-up defeated Scotland in Sunderland to open their Nations League campaign but then suffered just their third defeat under Sarina Wiegman in a 2-1 loss at the Netherlands.
The result had put England in third place in Group A1 ahead of the double-header against Belgium, who lead the standings on four points following their win against Scotland and draw against the Netherlands.
But the Lionesses found just enough on the night to beat Belgium, although it was far from the clinical performance they would have wanted. Despite dominating possession and chances, they were only able to find the net once and that left the game more open than it could have been.
The Lionesses must win their group to advance to the Nations League Finals, and must then get through the semi-finals to book Team GB’s qualification spot for next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
Follow for all the latest updates from the King Power Stadium:
England 1-0 Belgium
89’ Hemp has another header wide. England have been threatening from set-pieces here today, but have more often than not missed the target and left the goal untroubled.
England 1-0 Belgium
88’ The game has just fractured a bit, there is an attacking substitution from Belgium and there are a few more fould creeping in as England look to close it out while the visitors will be pushing for an equaliser.
England 1-0 Belgium
86’ England have yet another two corners in quick succession here.
But as they have done so many times in this match, they are unable to find the back of the net and it will be a free-kick to Belgium.
England 1-0 Belgium
84’ Stanway is down holding her head following a big clash of heads there and that might be a reasonable stoppage.
The announcement has just come through for an attendance of over 23,000.
England 1-0 Belgium
83’ England work the ball forward, but Fran Kirby cannot be picked out by Georgia Stanway.
There will be another England substitution with Chloe Kelly coming off for Jess Park.
England 1-0 Belgium
82’ Belgium have a chance to get the ball in the box with a free kick from the left, England head clear but Earps has to be alert to gather the second ball which was headed towards the back post.
England 1-0 Belgium
80’ Belgium are trying to get forward a little bit here but they still haven’t had many chances.
England 1-0 Belgium
78’ SAVE! Evrard makes yet another save to deny Hemp who did well to weave her way into the box and create the space to take her shot, but it was well stopped by the goalkeeper.
England 1-0 Belgium
78’ Belgium’s attack doesn’t amount to anything significant other than a goal kick, and England will have the ball again.
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