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
18’ Ella Toone has a strike from distance but it’s straight at the goalkeeper!
England are looking lively, and the goal just seems to have brightened them up further!
England 1-0 Belgium
15’ England have kept the pressure on and are looking for a second...but the ball can’t quite find Lucy Bronze in the penalty area and goes behind.
GOAL! England 1-0 Belgium
12’ England have their second corner in as many minutes here...and they have their goal!
Hemp follows it up after it rebounded back off the corner flag and the Lionesses have the breakthrough!
England 0-0 Belgium
10’ Lauren Hemp tried to get through Belgium there, but went straight through the defender in her attempt to get the ball and conceded a free-kick.
England 0-0 Belgium
9’ SAVE! Mary Earps had to make a good reaction save to deny Belgium’s first real attack of the game.
It was a powerfully-hit header and the England goalkeeper did well to make the save then hold onto it.
Vanhaevermaet had beaten Millie Bright to the ball.
England 0-0 Belgium
7’ The Lionesses have definitely been the better side in the opening stages, but Belgium top the group and having never been to a World Cup or an Olympics before, they will want to qualify.
England 0-0 Belgium
5’ England thought they had another opportunity through Kelly, but Russo was penalised for a foul.
England 0-0 Belgium
3’ CHANCE! Lauren Hemp wins the ball back in the box and goes for a shot which is palmed away by the Belgium goalkeeper but straight into the path of Ella Toone who heads...but just wide of goal.
England have been on top here
England 0-0 Belgium
3’ Belgium seem happy to drop off and invite the pressure onto them while trying to make their own attacks on the counter.
England 0-0 Belgium
2’ England started brightly, and Niamh Charles had a shot, but could not keep it down.
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