Belgium 3-2 England: Lionesses lose in Women’s Nations League

England’s hopes of progressing in the Women’s Nations League were dealt a huge blow after a late defeat in Belgium.

There was concern too for England defender Alex Greenwood who received lengthy treatment for a head injury before being taken off on a stretcher in the first half.

England were 1-0 down when Greenwood went off after Belgium centre-back Laura de Neve curled in a brilliant free-kick in Leuven.

Sarina Wiegman’s side, clearly shaken by the injury to Greenwood, responded well with two superb goals from Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby but Belgium drew level again before the break with a composed finish from captain Wullaert.

The Lionesses, who narrowly beat Belgium 1-0 in Leicester on Friday, had the better chances as Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly and Kirby all forced saves from goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, while Bronze had a goal-bound shot blocked by Janice Cayman.

However, Belgium’s Wullaert was a constant threat and eventually scored the winner having been denied by England goalkeeper Mary Earps – who came fifth in the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday evening – earlier in the second half.

England, who must top their Women’s Nations League group to have a chance of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games on behalf of Team GB, now have two decisive fixtures against the Netherlands and Scotland left to play in December.

Great Britain will head to Paris if nominated country England reach the Nations League final. However, third place will be enough if Olympics host nation France reach the final.

The Netherlands top Group A1 thanks to a 1-0 victory over Scotland in Tuesday’s other match, while England sit third, three points behind.

Lionesses punished for errors again

England were wasteful in front of goal on Friday and Wiegman’s call for more patience and care in possession this time around were not answered by her players.

Belgium, who had already stunned the Netherlands in September, celebrated heavily at full-time as they know victory puts them in a strong position to progress. They sit second in the table, two points behind the Netherlands but with a head-to-head advantage.

It leaves European champions England, who reached the World Cup final in August, in a precarious position as they were punished for not taking their chances yet again.

Kirby’s return to the starting XI – the first time since October 2022 following knee surgery – had given England a boost before kick-off and she showed what they had missed in Australia this summer with a cool finish to make it 2-1.

Bronze’s powerful header from Chloe Kelly’s corner delivery had cancelled out De Neve’s free-kick but Wullaert refused to allow England to put the game to bed.

She was a constant terror for Chelsea centre-backs Millie Bright and Jess Carter – the latter brought on as a replacement for the injured Greenwood – and she was rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot when Georgia Stanway was penalised for handball.

It capped off another frustrating evening for Wiegman’s side, who have made defensive errors throughout the competition and have lacked ruthlessness in front of goal.