Wiegman: “I’d feel safe” to travel to Belgium with England for Nations League
Sarina Wiegman’s England travel to Leuven for their second Women’s Nations League match against Belgium in just five days.
At Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Friday night, the Lionesses secured all three points following an early strike from Lauren Hemp. The held on to their slender lead for the rest of the game to run out 1-0 winners but it was far from a convincing peformance from the World Cup runners-up.
A 2-1 loss back in September to the Netherlands means England are second in Group A1 and they will be determined to back up last week’s win with another victory tonight. The group winners will move into the Nations League semi-finals and the Lionesses must remain in touch with their Dutch counterparts if they hope to reach the knockout stages.
A place in the Olympics is also at stake as the four group winners in League A meet in the semi-finals before the two finalists join France as the 2024 Olympic Games’ European representatives.
Follow all the action from Belgium vs England below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Belgium 1-0 England
20 mins: Jassina Blom and Alex Greenwood collide with each other as both players leap up to win an aerial ball. The pair clash heads and immediately stay on the ground.
The medical staff are onto the scene quickly and there’s a break in the game as the players receive some treatment.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:51
Belgium 1-0 England
17 mins: England are full of creativity and surprises. They’re flicking balls over the top, making runs through the channels and trying to piush forward at every opportunity.
Belgium don’t look troubled though and they’re defending well.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:49
Belgium 1-0 England
14 mins: Close! Niamh Charles bombs forward on the overlap and wins a corner for England. Chloe Kelly swings the ball into the box and it drops fortuitously for Lucy Bronze.
She can only turn it towards goal and there’s no power behind the shot meaning Belgium work it away.
Millie Bright collects the loose ball and sends it back to Bronze who shoots from range this time and lifts her effort over the crossbar.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:46
Belgium 1-0 England
12 mins: This is not the start Sarina Wiegman would have been hoping for. She wanted her team to be more composed and ruthless in the the final third and now England will need to show they can be.
Belgium have been the better side in these opening stages though and they can be a troublesome team to break down.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:44
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 England (De Neve, 9’) ⚽️
9 mins: Belgium take the lead! The hosts win a free kick just outside England’s penalty area after more positive play put the Lionesses on the back foot.
Laura De Neve steps up to take the set piece, she whips the ball past the wall and beats Mary Earps on the near side. The ball rattles into the back of the net and England are behind!
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:41
Belgium 0-0 England
6 mins: Chance! The first opportunity of the match falls to Belgium after they turn the ball over in the middle of the pitch once again.
The ball is played across to Jassina Blom who threads a fine pass in between the England centre-backs setting Tessa Wullaert in behind the lines.
Alex Greenwood does well to get back and challenge her just as she enters the box but Wullaert manages to get a shot away and Mary Earps palms it over the top.
The offside flag then goes up so the goal wouldn’t have counted even if it was scored.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:39
Belgium 0-0 England
3 mins: On Friday night, Belgium had a tendancy to stay deep and invite pressure from the Lionesses who dominated possession.
It seems they’ve been told to do something similar tonight as Jassina Blom is the only willing runner when the home side turn over the ball in midfield.
The pass doesn’t come to her and England regain the ball.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:35
Kick off! Belgium 0-0 England
Alessia Russo kicks off the match and sends the ball to Keira Walsh. The Lionesses send the ball back to the defence and try to draw the Belgians out of shape early in this match.
A cross-field pass comes out to Lauren Hemp who manages to win a throw in deep inside the host’s half.
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:32
Belgium vs England
Here come the players. England need to win to ensure they don’t lose ground in the table to the Netherlands. They have good memories and results against Belgium.
Can the Lionesses earn another victory tonight? Kick off is up next…
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:26
Belgium vs England
Chloe Kelly has created more chances for England than any other player in the Nations League so far (8), seven of which have been from open play.
Only four players across the competition have created more such opportunities (Katie McCabe and Mariona Caldentey both 9, Klara Bühl and Ana Borges both eight).
Mike Jones31 October 2023 19:25
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.