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
35’ The Netherlands have taken a two-goal lead against Scotland in the other match in the Nations League group.
England have had all the possession, but still lead by just the one goal here.
England 1-0 Belgium
33’ Chloe Kelly now has an attempted cross cleared.
England 1-0 Belgium
32’ The crowd have already burst into Sweet Caroline, as England attack again, but Hemp’s cross is cleared before it reaches Russo.
England 1-0 Belgium
30’ England were so close to a second there but Russo just couldn’t quite get the contact she needed to put the ball in the back of the net.
England 1-0 Belgium
28’ The ball fell to Missipo at the back post, and England did not look overly comfortable there!
The shot is skewed into the side netting, but there are some promising signs from Belgium.
England 1-0 Belgium
28’ CHANCE! Another direct ball from the back from Belgium, Wullaert makes a good run into the box, and the ball just deflects behind off Millie Bright.
They will have a corner.
England 1-0 Belgium
27’ Greenwood sends in a corner, but this time Russo is first to it and it deflects behind for another corner.
England 1-0 Belgium
24’ Belgium have another shot on target, it’s saved. They are very direct, but both times they have got forward, they have had a shot on target now. It might just be something for England to be aware of going forward in the match.
Greenwood is lucky not to be punished for an elbow to the face on Missipo.
England 1-0 Belgium
22’ SAVE! Yet another England attack, they have just kept coming in wave after wave and Belgium have really struggled to get out of their own half.
Greenwood tries her luck from distance! And it’s palmed away by the goalkeeper.
England 1-0 Belgium
20’ England just keep coming here, I’m fairly sure they’ve had almost all of the ball, a ball over the top is just a bit long for Toone.
The Netherlands have taken the lead against Scotland in the other game in the group.
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