Belgium shocks England with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Nations League

In a surprising turn of events during the Women's Nations League, Belgium defeated England 3-2 at Den Dreef in Leuven. The match took place four days after England had convincingly beaten Belgium 5-0 in their previous encounter. Belgium made a striking comeback, taking a three-goal lead within the first 30 minutes of the game. Tessa Wullaert opened the scoring just four minutes in, followed by a header from Justine Vanhaevermaet shortly after. Wullaert added her second goal in the 28th minute, putting England on the back foot immediately. As England struggled to find their rhythm, they were given a glimmer of hope when Beth Mead converted a penalty in the 35th minute after being fouled in the box. This goal brought the score to 3-1 before halftime. Despite playing a better second half, England failed to secure a comeback and finished the match with only two goals, one scored by Michelle Agyemang, marking her first goal for the national team. This loss dropped England to second place in Group C, trailing Spain by two points after Spain's impressive 7-1 victory over Portugal. The defeat raised concerns about the depth of England's squad, especially in light of their injuries and the upcoming Euro 2025 tournament. Coach Sarina Wiegman noted that the team did not start well and lacked focus, acknowledging that they had to adapt quickly to be competitive. Leah Williamson, an England defender, also commented on the team's slow start and conceded that Belgium played significantly better than in their previous clash. England's inability to keep the defensive structure intact and controlling the pace of the game severely hampered their performance. The adjustment in personnel made by Wiegman in the second half showed improvement defensively, but it was not enough to change the outcome. This match serves as a stark reminder for England, highlighting their vulnerabilities in the national setup, particularly as they prepare for future competitions. The team must refine their strategies and find ways to deepen their player roles to avoid similar pitfalls against strong opponents.