England 5 Belgium 0
Lucy Bronze may no longer be the best player in the world but she is the linchpin of this Lionesses team.
After it was announced this week that the United Kingdom will host the 2035 World Cup, there were jokes that Bronze, who made her 130th appearance for England in their victory over Belgium on Friday night, will still be the first-choice right-back in 10 years’ time.
The defender opened the scoring, created the second for Millie Bright and was involved in the build-up to the third, but her role is so much more than providing goals and assists.
Bronze, who won the Fifa Best award in 2020, is now 33 but she looks as if she could continue to play for another decade. It is ironic that there were question marks over her international future after the 2023 World Cup final, where she was at fault for Spain’s winning goal.
The right-back was adamant then that she would not retire from England and it is just as well she has not yet hung up her boots. Bronze not only drives standards but she is key to the way the Lionesses attack and defend.
In the first of these back-to-back games against Belgium, Bronze was arguably the best player on the pitch as England moved top of their Nations League group.
When Bronze was forced off with a minor injury against Portugal in February, England conceded their 1-0 lead later in the second half. This, however, was the most comfortable they have looked for a long time.
In front of a full house at Ashton Gate, the Lionesses made a positive start, unsurprisingly dominating possession in the early stages. After Alessia Russo had rattled the crossbar with a shot from close range, England took the lead in slightly fortuitous circumstances. Bronze rose to meet a cross from Lauren James, with the defender’s header taking a deflection off Belgium’s Amber Tysiak to wrongfoot goalkeeper Nicky Everard.
Russo then hit the woodwork again before half-time, with the forward linking up well with Beth Mead before firing a shot against the top of the post. England did double their lead before half-time, with Millie Bright beating Everard to a loose ball from Bronze to power home a header on the line.
Bronze was involved again for England’s third goal. She played in Mead down the right and she picked out Aggie Beever-Jones, who had replaced Lauren James at half-time, and the striker sent a side-footed finish past Everard to score her first international goal. After Jess Park had added a fourth, Keira Walsh also netted her first England goal on what was her 83rd appearance.
Match details
England (4-3-3): Hampton, Bronze, Williamson (Morgan 73), Bright (Carter 80), Charles, Clinton, Walsh, Toone (Park 58, 6), Mead, Russo (Parris 73), James (Beever-Jones HT)
Subs: Earps, Moorhouse, Le Tissier, Turner, Parker, Symonds
Goals: Bronze 21, Bright 45, Beever-Jones 67, Park 77
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Belgium (3-5-2): Evrard, Tysiak, Iliano, Cayman, Janssens, Teulings (De Caigny 84), Vanhaevermaet, Missipo (Delacauw 62, 5), Philtjens (Deloose 76), Eurlings (Blom 83), Toloba (Detruyer 63, 5)
Subs: Femke, Lichtfus, Van Kerkhoven, Wijnants, Dhont, Elyn, Mathys
Booked: Vanhaevermaet, Janssens, Iliano
Manager: Elisabet Gunnarsdottir
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza 6
Attendance: 23,202
10:32 PM BST
More from Wiegman
I think the second half we dropped a little bit in tempo and then the subs came in and they brought the energy again, but also quality. And what I really like too, is that we kept it simple, so we didn’t stop playing our own game.. We kept playing our game, our England game, and it looks easy but it is pretty hard and I really enjoyed that.
10:32 PM BST
The latest on Lauren James
10:24 PM BST
Aggie Beever-Jones speaking post-match
I actually can’t quite believe it. It hasn’t quite hit me just yet. I think I was more buzzing for Keira [Walsh] for scoring to be honest. I said to her for the longest amount of time you have to shoot more in training. She is one of the most technical players I have ever seen I actually can’t believe it, I need five or 10 minutes to soak it all in.
10:13 PM BST
Keira Walsh buzzing to have scored for England
And she is also buzzing to be back in England have missing home and “her supermarkets” during a two-and-a-half year spell with Barcelona. You can read the full interview with England’s midfield conductor here.
10:12 PM BST
Wiegman’s post-match thoughts
I said to the team to keep it simple and stay together and everyone who came onto the pitch did well. Tuesday will be a totally different game, just because we won 5-0 does not mean were are in the best possible place. We have to keep working and getting connections because I sense something is happening.
10:01 PM BST
Keira Walsh on her goal
It was really nice to score a lot of goals. It was a great team performance and the subs who came in made a massive impact. It was nice to see us playing more free-flowing football. My shot took a deflection but a goal is a goal and the girls were really happy for me which is a nice feeling.
It’s up there as one of my favourite games. We played a lot of good attacking football and it was a nice evening to be part of.
09:55 PM BST
Kathryn’s full-time verdict
A five-star performance from England (pardon the pun). By far the most comfortable they have looked for a long time. Five different goalscorers including first international goals for Aggie Beever-Jones and Keira Walsh - who had to wait until her 83rd appearance to get it. The Lionesses now move top of their Nations League group.
09:51 PM BST
FT: England 5 Belgium 0
England now have seven points from nine in the Nations League after a resounding win over Belgium. More importantly, this was valuable preparation for this summer’s European Championship. England’s right flank was devastating with Bronze and Mead in tandem, while the Arsenal winger linked up well with club team-mate Russo. Park and Beever-Jones scored off the bench, and Kiera Walsh finally scored her first England goal late on. It is Belgium in Belgium next on Tuesday night.
09:51 PM BST
FT: England 5 Belgium 0
England now have seven points from nine in the Nations League after a resounding win over Belgium. More importantly, this was valuable preparation for this summer’s European Championship. England’s right flank was devastating with Bronze and Mead in tandem, while the Arsenal winger linked up well with club team-mate Russo. Park and Beever-Jones scored off the bench, and Kiera Walsh finally scored her first England goal late on. It is Belgium in Belgium next on Tuesday night.
09:49 PM BST
90 minutes: England 5 Belgium 0
Just the three minutes of stoppage time for Belgium to endure. A job well done by England.
09:46 PM BST
GOOOOAALL! Walsh scores her first England goal
Having struck the post earlier in the half, Walsh scores with the help of a deflection. From the free-kick won by Park, Evrard punched clear and Walsh’s strike took a nick on the way through beyond the helpless goalkeeper. It was on target though, that goal will be Walsh’s.
09:45 PM BST
87 minutes: England 4 Belgium 0
Quick feet from Park to dance her way through midfield and Tysiak chops her down at the expense of a yellow card. England have a wealth of options in those attacking midfield positions and Park is making her case.
09:43 PM BST
85 minutes: England 4 Belgium 0
England passing and moving smoothly now, everyone wants a touch of the ball. Belgium will be pleased to hear the final whistle. Wiegman knows she needs her squad this summer and will be pleased with the contributions of Beever-Jones and Park from the bench.
09:38 PM BST
80 minutes: England 4 Belgium 0
Another change from Wiegman: Jess Carter replaces Millie Bright at centre-back. Carter is a candidate to start at centre-back or left-back during the Euros.
09:36 PM BST
GOOOAAALL! Jess Park scores again
Just like against Spain, Park is on the scoresheet. It was a hopeful punt forward from Hampton, but credit Park for staying alert and getting studs to the ball in front of Iliano who was hesitant. Park had plenty of time to think about the resulting one-on-one but kept here composure and passed the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
09:34 PM BST
77 minutes: England 3 Belgium 0
Belgium enjoying some more possession now but England are keeping their defensive shape and holding them at bay. Sound defending from Lucy Bronze.
09:31 PM BST
73 minutes: England 3 Belgium 0
A couple of subs for England: Parris replaces Russo after that slight injury scare, and Morgan replaces Williamson. Arsenal fans will be pleased to see two of their star players come off unscathed (it would seem).
09:29 PM BST
71 minutes: England 3 Belgium 0
The only potential fly in the ointment here for England is an injury, and hearts were in mouths for a while when it looked like Russo had rolled her ankle. Pleased to report the Arsenal striker is back on here feet. The Walsh pings a shot against the foot of the post from 30 yards or so. Very close to Walsh’s first England goal.
09:27 PM BST
Mead the provider again
England had become a little sloppy in the last few minutes and were fortunate Belgium did not pull a goal back, but once again they are able to open Belgium up down the right and it is Beth Mead who has done the damage with another excellent cross to leave Beever-Jones with a tap in. Mead has been excellent this evening and is starting to look to be rediscovering the excellent form she had before that serious knee injury.
09:25 PM BST
GOOAALL! Beever-Jones ensures it is game over
Belgium pay the penalty for that missed chance. Once again, the source of England’s joy is their right flank. Nice one-touch play in the corner to feed Mead in a crossing position, and Beever-Jones’ movement across the face of goal was excellent to convert.
09:22 PM BST
65 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
Major let-off for England, with Bronze caught forward Eurlings running down the side of Williamson. She picked out the run of substitute Delacauw and her deflected effort bounced off the roof of the net. Then Cayman teases a dangerous ball into the box that runs across the face of goal. Belgium’s two best moments as an attacking force.
09:20 PM BST
63 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
Excellent centre-forward play from Russo again, shielding the all away from the Belgium defenders and barrelling her way through. He cut-back almost ran through for a white shirt. Walsh’s cross skips up into Evrard’s arms with Russo lurking.
09:19 PM BST
61 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
Belgium are about to make a double substitution. They are still adapting to their first managerial change in 14 years. Delacauw and Detruyer are the players coming on, with Toloba and Missipo the players hooked.
09:16 PM BST
59 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
Sticky moment for Lucy Bronze with Missipo winning the duel against the England right-back but the low cross was cleared by Williamson before Hampton shows impressive command of her six-yard box to claim the cross.
Another England change: Ella Toone off, with Jess Park on in the attacking midfield role.
09:15 PM BST
57 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
England have given very little away defensively, they are currently on course for a fourth clean sheet in five games. A sturdy defence is essential to success in knockout tournaments. Belgium trying to press high in this half, there is space for England to attack if they are more direct.
09:10 PM BST
53 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
Grace Clinton with a strike from distance which she was entitled to take on, but her left-footed attempt was always rising and swerving wide. Williamson plays short to Hampton but the goalkeeper elects to go long.
09:08 PM BST
50 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
From another short corner, Mead whips in an inswinging cross which the Belgium goalkeeper Evrard does well to punch clear. Beever-Jones is looking to spin in behind wherever possible, a different sort of threat from James who wants the ball to feet.
09:05 PM BST
48 minutes: England 2 Belgium 0
Williamson the latest England player to burst down the right flank. Belgium have been wide open on that side throughout the match. Then the away side work a promising attacking position with a ball over the top to Eurlings but England sprint back to snuff out the potential chance.
09:02 PM BST
We are back under way in the second half
England kick off at the start of the second 45 minutes.
09:02 PM BST
A half-time change from Wiegman
Beever-Jones replaces Lauren James, who was stretching her thigh out in the first half.
09:00 PM BST
Luke’s half-time verdict
A comfortable first half for England who have the cushion of a second goal just before half time and should be able to add to that against a pretty poor Belgium team.
There are lots of encouraging signs. Alessia Russo has been excellent through the middle and was desperately unlucky to hit the post twice.
And how good it is to see Beth Mead back to her best. Her delivery from corners has been top class and she has made the most of space she is getting down the flank with her intelligent runs, almost setting up Russo twice.
She was also denied a goal by an excellent save from the goalkeeper. England’s attack looks far more threatening, as well as balanced, with her on the right and Lauren James on the left.
08:50 PM BST
The build-up to the first goal
08:48 PM BST
HT: England 2 Belgium 0
A comfortable half’s work for England who have caused Belgium all manner of problems with attacks funnelled down the right flank through Beth Mead. They have also looked dangerous from wide deliveries into the penalty area. Russo has been heavily involved and has struck the post twice.
08:46 PM BST
GOOOOAALL! Bright scores England’s second
Moments after making a superb save to deny Mead, Belgium goalkeeper Evrard is undone by another cross. Lucy Broze won the glancing header again, and Millie Bright got there before the goalkeeper to finish on the goal-line.
08:43 PM BST
42 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
Russo hits the post again! Almost a carbon copy of her first chance. Walsh release Mead, Belgium all at sea down their left against defensively, and Russo swept a shot against the near-post. The in-form Arsenal striker can count herself unfortunate not to be on the scoresheet in this half. As she gets up off the turf, Russo is flexing her knee.
We’ve seen that Mead-Russo link-up twice now - and on both occasions Russo has hit the woodwork. Perhaps it will be third time lucky for the striker...
08:41 PM BST
40 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
Belgium have tightened up in the last 10 minutes and have at least stemmed the flow of dangerous England attacks. The home team are moving the ball around patiently, with Clinton picking up space in midfield and finding Mead down the right. Charles with a loose pass inside from left-back before she recovers impressively.
08:38 PM BST
James impressing
England have been the better side by some distance and there has not been a better player on the pitch than Lauren James. The Chelsea winger’s delivery into the box has been England’s most dangerous weapon in attack and Lucy Bronze’s goal came from her pass.
Encouragingly, James also appears to have added a greater game awareness to her armoury and she is working really hard off the ball to help the team win the ball back.
Sarina Wiegman will be keeping everything crossed that she remains fit until the start of the Euros in July.
08:36 PM BST
36 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
This could be a match-specific tactic tailored to Belgium’s weaknesses, but England’s right flank has been far more menacing than the left at the moment. Toone and James are rotating between the left-side role and the No 10 position. Belgium enjoying a rare spell of territory in England’s half.
08:34 PM BST
33 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
In the other match in this Nations League group, Spain are 3-1 up away at Portugal. Hannah Hampton has been pretty much a spectator so far. That might not be the best thing if the idea is to impress and see off the challenge of Mary Earps. But goalkeepers are a bit like referees; you barely notice the best ones.
08:31 PM BST
30 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
Belgium skipper Cayman penalised for handball and England have another chance to deliver into the box from quality with a free-kick. James over it.
James plays a short one and goes for the one-two with Mead, standing up a delicious cross from the byline but it was just too high for a finish to be applied by Russo.
08:28 PM BST
27 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
Bronze at full stretch to get studs to the ball in a vital defensive intervention in her own penalty area. There was a loose pass across midfield from England and Janssens burst forward into the space vacated by Charles. Williamson cleared the cross to the edge of the box and Bronze nicked the ball clear when it looked like a snap shot was on the way.
08:26 PM BST
A well-earned England lead
England deserve that goal after being on top for the last 15 minutes. A bit of a strange one and an unlikely scorer in Bronze, who managed to get her head on Lauren James’ cross. The ball seemed to take a slight deflection off the hand of Amber Tysiak to take it over the goalkeeper.
08:24 PM BST
23 minutes: England 1 Belgium 0
You could tell from Wiegman’s pre-match interview that breaking down a deep Belgium defence was foremost in her mind, so that goal should crack the game open.
England threaten a quickfire second: Russo’s lofted pass picks out Mead but she cannot make good enough contact with the volley. In any case, the flag was up for offside.
08:22 PM BST
GOOOOAAALL! Lucy Bronze makes sure England’s pressure tell
Bronze scores the game’s opening goal on the night she wins her 130th cap. Good inswinging cross from Lauren James with her left foot, and Bronze’s glancing header deflected off the hand of Belgium’s Tysiak and beyond the goalkeeper. Tough to say whether Bronze will keep that goal or if it will go down as an own goal.
08:21 PM BST
20 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
Alessia Russo hammers a shot against the post, first-time effort with her right foot after her club team-mate Mead hooked the ball into the box with a tackle-cum-cross. Sweet strike, but the ball bounces off the post and behind.
08:19 PM BST
18 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
Cracking effort from Lauren James with a direct free-kick from 30 yards or so. She whipped the ball with her right foot back across the goalkeeper and the ball grazed the woodwork. Her brother Reece scored a brilliant free-kick for England’s men during last month’s international break and she almost matched him.
08:16 PM BST
15 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
England are in control of this game, but still searching for a breakthrough. Charles has started the game well, feeding passes into Walsh. Beth Mead then provides a really dangerous cross from the right, and the aforementioned Charles sees an ambitious strike from distance blocked. She started her career as a forward before switching to full-back.
08:14 PM BST
England remember Poppy Atkinson
The 10-year-old girl was killed after being fatally struck by a car on a sports pitch in Cumbria on Wednesday night. She was attending a football training session.
08:12 PM BST
11 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
A worrying amount of space opens up down the left side of the Belgium defence, in behind the wing-back Philtjens. Russo spins into the channel and her cross is blocked behind for a corner.
Once again, England win the first contact at the near post with Williamson’s glance almost setting up a tap-in. It bounces into the grateful arms of Belgium goalkeeper Evrard.
08:10 PM BST
9 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
Bronze chases a lost cause and her harrying prompts Vanhaevermaet to hack the ball behind for an unnecessary corner. Bronze wins a glancing hear at the near-post but the ball bounces wide. England carrying a threat from set-pieces so far, both short and conventional.
08:08 PM BST
7 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
England applying impressive pressure whenever Belgium have the ball in their own half. The visitors are defending in something like a 5-3-2 shape which ought to mean England’s full-backs Charles and Bronze see lots of the ball. Clinton tries to spread play to Bronze but the pass was behind her and runs out for a throw-in.
08:05 PM BST
5 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
Bright and breezy start to the game, as a stretching run from Janssens down the Belgium right wins them a corner. Millie Brigh clears but Belgium mop up the loose ball at the edge of the area. Some possession for the away team, but Charles steps in well for England to intercept from left-back.
08:03 PM BST
3 minutes: England 0 Belgium 0
Very early stages but Belgium are defending in a back five with centre-back and captain Cayman stepping out into midfield when they have the ball.
Positive start from England. Lauren James wins a corner, and from the second phase Walsh teases a cross through the six-yard box which Belgium just about scramble behind for a another corner.
England then win a third in succession, with James whipping a cross wide of the far post after they worked a short one. Belgium under the pump already.
08:01 PM BST
KICK OFF!
England get the game under way. They have only ever lost one game against Belgium, but that was the most recent fixture between the nations.
07:55 PM BST
The players are in the tunnel
Spring is here but you could be forgiven for thinking it is November 5 given the pyrotechnic display that greets the teams.
Belgium fans going for more of a Halloween theme, though.
07:52 PM BST
Wiegman’s pre-match thoughts
It’s really disappointing [Chloe Kelly’s absence] because she has been in a very good position, happy, and in training she did well.
We want to play well, have the ball, create chances and score goals and tonight I expect that to be tough because they defend very deep and close to each other, and physical too.
07:51 PM BST
Packed house
This game is a sell-out but you have to wonder whether England have outgrown stadiums like Ashton Gate. It was a bit chaotic outside, with fans struggling to move easily. It should at least be a good atmosphere with a full house though.
07:49 PM BST
England’s players warm up
07:45 PM BST
Some of Wiegman’s programme notes
As well as being an important Nations League fixture, tonight is another major stepping stone on our way to this summer’s Euros.
It’s a big year ahead and with preparation, total focus and hard work, we will give ourselves the best possible chance of success.
We hope we can continue to make you proud.
07:31 PM BST
The big news this week
The United Kingdom is all but certain to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup after Fifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed it was the only valid bid.
07:15 PM BST
Meet the real Lauren James
In an exclusive interview with our women’s football correspondent Kathyrn Batte, Lauren James sat down to discuss here idiosyncratic style of play, racism and what it has been like working with Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea. Click here to read the interview in full with England’s mercurial talent.
07:07 PM BST
Goalkeeping audition?
Not many surprises in that England team but the big call is Hannah Hampton starts in goal over Mary Earps. Wonder if it will be a game each for the goalkeepers again.
07:06 PM BST
Belgium team and subs: No Wullaert in the squad
Belgium XI: Evrard, Janssens, Tysiak, Iliano, Cayman, Philtjens, Vanhaevermaet, Missipo, Teulings, Eurlings, Toloba
Subs: Bastiaen, Blom, De Caigny, Delacauw, Deloose, Detruyer, Dhont, Elyn, Lichtfus, Mathys, Van Kerkhoven, Wijnants
07:03 PM BST
England’s team assessed
Lucy Bronze wins her 130th cap tonight which puts her joint-fifth on the all-time appearance list. Niamh Charles is fit again and can stake her claim to fill what has been a problematic left-back berth.
Leah Williamson reprises her tried and trusted centre-back partnership with Mille Bright.
Wiegman has picked four true attackers with Russo up top and Beth Mead from the right. According to the numbers, Lauren James will play from the left with Ella Toone in the No 10 spot. Both players like that central space behind the centre-forward, but James will have the freedom to drift inside.
06:57 PM BST
England’s players arrive at Ashton Gate
06:54 PM BST
England without Kelly for both games
Chloe Kelly has been ruled out of both of England’s Women’s Nations League games against Belgium.
Kelly - who joined Arsenal on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day - was already confirmed as an absentee from tonight’s game, but will now play no further part in the Lionesses’ camp.
A statement from the Football Association read: “Chloe Kelly has returned to Arsenal for treatment on a foot injury and will not participate in the forthcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against Belgium.
“Yesterday Sarina Wiegman confirmed Kelly’s withdrawal from tonight’s fixture and following further assessment it has now been decided that she will return to her club to aid her rehabilitation.”
06:52 PM BST
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06:48 PM BST
England team and subs
06:45 PM BST
Women’s Euros predictor
Who are you backing to win this summer’s tournament? Think England can go all the way and retain the title they won on home soil? Plot the Lionesses route to the final using our interactive predictor tool. Click here to make your predictions.
06:41 PM BST
England face Belgium team who almost toppled world champions
England’s preparations for this summer’s Women’s Euros continue with a Nations League double-header against Belgium, with Sarina Wiegman’s team off to a sound start in the group.
The Lionesses claimed four points from fixtures against Spain and Portugal during the last international break, and historically have dominated meetings against Belgium. They did lose the most recent fixture though, in the Nations League in October 2023.
There are some notable injury absences for Wiegman to contend with. Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp are among those sidelined, with a niggle denying Chloe Kelly the chance to replicate her sterling Arsenal form in an England shirt. Kelly has returned to Arsenal for treatment on a foot injury.
Kelly’s team-mate Alessia Russo is high on confidence after scoring twice in Arsenal’s Champions League comeback against Real Madrid and she is expected to lead the line at Ashton Gate this evening.
“Everyone would always say how nice of a person Alessia is and how good a person she is, and everybody wants her to succeed for that reason,” said England and Arsenal captain Leah Williamson.
“But to be a number nine in any team you have to have that sort of not arrogance, but confidence about you and we all want to see her playing like she is so she carries that because she deserves it as a human, she works hard for it.
“We know what a talent she is and when she’s scoring goals I know how good that is for her.”
England are strong favourites against a team who are yet to win a point in this Nations League group, although that maybe does Belgium a disservice. They were within a couple of minutes of beating world champions Spain only to concede two stoppage-time goals.
Since the start of 2024, only Germany’s Lea Schüller (13) has scored more goals for a European nation in all competitions than Belgium’s Tessa Wullaert (11) who has five in five, so England know where the danger is coming from.
Full team news on the way shortly.
