Sarina Wiegman’s side no longer have their destiny in their own hands after a shock defeat in Leuven
England were dealt a fright on Halloween night as Belgium’s shock 3-2 win took the Lionesses’ chances of progressing to the UEFA Women’s Nations League finals, and thus securing Great Britain’s place at next year’s Olympic football tournament, out of their own hands. The reigning champions will not only need to beat the Netherlands at Wembley in December now, they’ll also need other results to go their way.
Belgium took a surprise early lead in Leuven when Laura De Neve’s free-kick deceived Mary Earps and England’s start to the game was made worse when Alex Greenwood had to be stretchered off after a rather concerning clash of heads with Jassina Bolm.
A smart header from Lucy Bronze and a wonderful finish from the returning Fran Kirby put the Lionesses back on track for all three points only for Tessa Wullaert to level things up again before half time.
Try as they might, Sarina Wiegman’s side couldn’t put their noses back in front in the second half, with Alessia Russo guilty of missing a couple of big chances in particular, and that lack of cutting edge came back to haunt them when Wullaert gave the Red Flames a famous win from the penalty spot late on.
GOAL rates England’s players from the King Power at Den Dreef…
