Belgium produced a stunning first-half performance to upset England in Leuven for a second time in three years.
Having been beaten 5-0 in Bristol on Friday, the hosts were much improved with returning skipper Tessa Wullaert making a major impact. The forward scored twice and set up another as Belgium surged into a 3-0 advantage, cutting the Lionesses to ribbons with their counter-attacking play. Without Alessia Russo and Lauren James due to injury, Sarina Wiegman’s side lacked quality and could not get into their flow of possession.
Beth Mead’s first-half penalty gave them a foothold but it took until late on for England to grab a second as debutant Michelle Agyemang made a remarkable first impression at international level. Her sublime take and volleyed finish gave the visitors hope of a late equaliser but it did not arrive, with Belgium deserved winners in the Women’s Nations League.
Re-live all of the action from Leuven in our live blog below:
Belgium vs England LIVE
- Belgium beat England 3-2 in the Women's Nations League
- GOAL! BELGIUM 1-0 England (Tessa Wullaert, 4 minutes)
- GOAL! BELGIUM 2-0 England (Justine Vanhaevermaet, 16 minutes)
- GOAL! BELGIUM 3-0 England (Tessa Wullaert, 29 minutes)
- GOAL! Belgium 3-1 ENGLAND (Beth Mead, 35 minutes)
- GOAL! Belgium 3-2 ENGLAND (Michelle Agyemang, 81 minutes)
- FULL TIME: Belgium 3-2 England
Disjointed defeat to Belgium shows England’s lack of depth — and it could cost them at Euro 2025
21:45 , Adam Millington in LeuvenInstinctively, England feel like a side with a lot of depth. The problem, though, is they never seem to act like a team who do. A handful of injuries can make the house of cards fall in the way it did on Tuesday as the sloppy, disjointed Lionesses were beaten by Belgium.
The only real positive came through a moment of individual brilliance from Michelle Agyemang, who produced something spectacular to net her first England goal and ensure they left with a 3-2 defeat which does not hint as much at the weaknesses in their display.
Disjointed defeat shows Lionesses lack of depth — and it could cost them at Euros
Leah Williamson speaks to ITV after England's defeat
21:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle“We started too slow,” the Lionesses skipper says. “They were very quick. We needed to figure it out a little bit quicker and we didn’t. We didn’t damage them with the ball like we did in the first game.
“Ultimately you have got to deal with players and runners better than we did today. That shouldn’t be an area of weakness for us, so we need to improve that. There is a lot of frustration but we have two more games to go. We should be winning this game, that’s why we are frustrated.
“They were a completely different side to the one in Bristol the other night and I don’t think we adapted.”
FT: Belgium 3-2 England
21:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleSerious celebrations from Belgium after the full-time whistle blows, England beaten again by a side that seems to have their number in Leuven. From 5-0 on Friday to 3-0 in half-an-hour here, the contrast was clear between the enervated side thrashed at Ashton Gate and a fully-focussed Belgian team tonight.
England rallied and Michelle Agyemang’s debut goal will live long in the memory, but it’s another difficult outing to raise questions over their depth.
FULL TIME: Belgium 3-2 England
21:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Belgium 3-2 England, 90 + 4 minutes
21:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleMichelle Agyemang shows well again, winning a corner. Is this their last chance? Up comes goalkeeper Hannah Hampton...
Claimed by Lisa Lichtfus in the Belgium goal.
Belgium 3-2 England, 90 + 3 minutes
21:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleEsme Morgan is booked after reacting angrily to a Belgium foul, and then rather riskily tugs an opponent back to prevent a counter-attack developing. It’s far enough forward that no second yellow card is forthcoming.
Belgium 3-2 England, 90 + 1 minutes
21:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleJarne Teulings is taken off. Tine De Caigny will charge about for three minutes or so as Belgium waste a bit of time.
Belgium 3-2 England, 90 minutes
21:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleElla Toone slashes an effort a yard or so wide as the board goes up to signal four additional minutes.
Belgium 3-2 England, 89 minutes
21:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium have just calmed England a little. How much longer will the Lionesses have to hunt an equaliser?
Belgium 3-2 England, 86 minutes
21:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleAfter entering with aplomb, that’s rather more naive from Michelle Agyemang, a bundle in the back conceding a soft free kick.
Belgium 3-2 England, 83 minutes
21:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou feel like Belgium are capable of a capitulation. That goal might have been plucked almost out of thin air but England were really starting to pile on the pressure beforehand. Can the hosts hold firm for the time that remains?
GOAL! Belgium 3-2 ENGLAND (Michelle Agyemang, 81 minutes)
21:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleSensational! That is some way to mark your international arrival!
Something from nothing from Michelle Agyemang. A long ball is hit towards her more in hope than expectation, but the 19-year-old shows outrageous skill to bring it down with her thigh and then thunder a finish into the top corner on the volley. It’s a magical moment to give the Lionesses hope of a late equaliser.
WHAT A WAY TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF!! 🤩🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 8, 2025
Michelle Agyemang with a BEAUTY! ✨
England are right back in this one...#ITVFootball | #UWNL pic.twitter.com/RrzXuP9qZL
Belgium 3-1 England, 79 minutes
21:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium appear to have abandoned all calm and composure. Twice in quick succession they make a hash of attempted clearances to concede corners as pressure builds.
And that’s off the bar! Jess Park’s shot hits the head of Justine Vanhaevermaet and balloons on to the top of the woodwork.
Park is replaced by debutant Michelle Agyemang, called in over the weekend from the Under 19s.
Belgium 3-1 England, 77 minutes
21:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleDavina Philtjens takes leave after a solid night on the left of Belgium’s back five. Elena Dhont is into the fray.
Belgium 3-1 England, 76 minutes
21:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat is a chance for the right-back, though! A strong surge and perfectly timed leap but not enough contact, the ball spinning wide!
Belgium 3-1 England, 75 minutes
21:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleLucy Bronze shows good persistence to earn a corner. She attacks it, too, but the cross flies over her head.
Belgium 3-1 England, 73 minutes
20:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe haven’t really seen the best of Aggie Beever-Jones tonight, though the Chelsea youngster is beginning to have more of an influence. Ella Toone has been really bright since she came on, too.
Belgium 3-1 England, 70 minutes
20:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleA cross-cum-shot from Toone isn’t particularly close to Lisa Lichtfus’s goal.
Changes for Belgium. Jassina Blom and Feli Delacauw replace Marie Detruyer and Hannah Eurlings.
Belgium 3-1 England, 66 minutes
20:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlmost for Ella Toone! An effort from 20 yards (and more on the angle) just tugs with a slight hint of curl, taking it wide of the far post.
Belgium 3-1 England, 63 minutes
20:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleLucky for England? A defence-splitting pass pierces the Lionesses to find Hannah Eurlings, who is halted by the lifting of the offside flag, though looked to have timed her run perfectly on the replay. There was little but green grass between her and Hannah Hampton.
Belgium 3-1 England, 61 minutes
20:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother double change from Sarina Wiegman. Fran Kirby is fit to feature after an injury worry and replaces Nikita Parris, while Ella Toone will lend extra creativity to midfield in the place of Grace Clinton, who it didn’t quite happen for tonight.
Aggie Beever-Jones looks to be moving up top.
Belgium 3-1 England, 60 minutes
20:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland are starting to put the pressure on. Lucy Bronze gets to the byline and latches on to an outstanding pass from Keira Walsh, though can’t quite connect with a colleague.
Belgium 3-1 England, 57 minutes
20:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleTop stop! Leah Williamson comes forward out of defence and lets fly from distance, forcing a leaping Lisa Lichtfus to tip the effort over the bar.
Belgium 3-1 England, 55 minutes
20:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleBeever-Jones and Mead have switched sides, with the former now ahead of Lucy Bronze on the right. Bronze takes a tumble in the Belgium box and is booked for simulation - which feels a trifle harsh despite the England full-back not really appealing for a penalty.
Belgium 3-1 England, 52 minutes
20:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleA good chance! Neat feet from Aggie Beever-Jones allow her to find Beth Mead in the box, but the Arsenal forward delays and delays her shot to try and better her sighting of goal before eventually slamming a snapped effort against the grounded goalkeeper.
Belgium 3-1 England, 51 minutes
20:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Belgium 3-1 England, 49 minutes
20:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleBeth Mead is fouled over the right, granting her another chance to swing in a free kick. Lucy Bronze gets her head to it but can’t force it through a couple of Belgian defenders. Corner kick.
Mead plays it short, and England are forced back, with the centre-halves eventually making a reluctant retreat having not been required to contest a cross.
Belgium 3-1 England, 47 minutes
20:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill those changes solidify England? It just felt like Belgium were able to get at the left-side of the back four too easily and often in that first half, with Tessa Wullaert providing such threat.
Second half...
20:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleA couple of half-time alterations from Sarina Wiegman, freshening up the backline. On come Esme Morgan and Jesse Carter for Millie Bright and Niamh Charles - who each looked a little bit leggy.
Back underway.
HT: Belgium 3-1 England
20:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell well well. A first half that few would have expected with Belgium ahead and deservedly so - and but for a penalty, their lead at the interval would have remained at three goals. The hosts have been very impressive in their counter-attacking play, while England have missed the hold-up play of Alessia Russo. We know that the Lionesses can score in bursts but there’s heaps for Sarina Wiegman’s side to do.
HALF TIME: Belgium 3-1 England
20:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Belgium 3-1 England, 45 minutes
20:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleJust the one additional minute to be played.
Belgium 3-1 England, 43 minutes
20:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleBronze is beginning to get more and more involved. Another powerful surge forward results in a half-chance for Aggie Beever-Jones, who can’t keep her header down.
Belgium 3-1 England, 41 minutes
20:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat a defensive header! Lucy Bronze’s whipped cross looks ripe for Nikita Parris to head home, yet Laura Deloose somehow manages to beat the England striker to the ball and contort it away.
Belgium 3-1 England, 39 minutes
20:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s Beth Mead’s first England goal in nearly a year. This has been a timely return to form for the Arsenal winger.
Nikita Parris has a speculative effort from 30 yards or so but troubles only the patrons in the rows towards the end of the alphabet.
Belgium 3-1 England, 37 minutes
20:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland hadn’t really looked like scoring before that chance was gifted to them. They will know, though, that if they can get their attacking game going then they have the capacity to rip Belgium to ribbons, as they did last week.
GOAL! Belgium 3-1 ENGLAND (Beth Mead, 35 minutes)
20:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleUp Beth Mead steps...and in it goes!
Perfectly placed into the corner. A route back for England?
PENALTY! Belgium 3-0 England, 33 minutes
20:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow England needed that! Beth Mead gets to a ball first in the box and is wiped out by Davina Philtjens - to the spot the referee points...
Belgium 3-0 England, 31 minutes
20:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleNearly a fourth! Hannah Hampton makes her first save of the game, and crikey did she have to with Jill Janssens sprung free again. Hampton thrusts out her left foot to deny the wing-back at the near post.
GOAL! BELGIUM 3-0 England (Tessa Wullaert, 29 minutes)
20:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s three! A remarkable half for Belgium!
Oh, would you believe it. Sarina Wiegman turns away in fury and frustration as England are carved apart again. There’s all sorts of room for a rampaging Davina Philtjens with Lucy Bronze caught high up the pitch, and then it is all about the driven cross from the left-wing-back. It’s low, fizzing and perfectly bisecting the space between Hannah Hampton and her defence, leaving Tessa Wullaert with a tap-in. Wow! What a turnaround from the reverse meeting!
Belgium 2-0 England, 26 minutes
19:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium have done a good job in preventing England from settling into any kind of stable possession.
Belgium 2-0 England, 24 minutes
19:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s very good defending from Janice Cayman. Millie Bright peels out to the back post and looks to connect with Beth Mead’s dangerous delivery, though can’t shake her Belgian marker. Cayman’s head flicks ball against Bright’s boot to ensure it is a goal kick, too.
Belgium 2-0 England, 22 minutes
19:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleA sliding Millie Bright clatters through Tessa Wullaert. No caution for the England centre back.
Belgium 2-0 England, 21 minutes
19:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother glimpse of an opportunity for Belgium goes awry when Tessa Wullaert fails to find fellow forward Hannah Eurlings.
Belgium 2-0 England, 18 minutes
19:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis just looks a totally different Belgium team to the one that played in Bristol, buoyed by being back at home and a couple of key returnees.
GOAL! BELGIUM 2-0 England (Justine Vanhaevermaet, 16 minutes)
19:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut Justine Vanhaevermaet soon strikes!
A second inside 16 minutes for Belgium! It’s a superb free-kick delivery from the left by Tessa Wullaert, whipped and well-weighted to allow the tall midfielder to attack it. She gets above Leah Williamson and sends a header looping inexorably into the far corner.
Belgium 1-0 England, 15 minutes
19:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleLovely footwork from Hannah Eurlings, jinking past a couple as she forays into the England box, but it’s a really poor pass from the left forward, searching for teammate Justine Vanhaevermaet in the ‘D’ and playing it three or four yards off line. In nips a Lioness to clear.
Belgium 1-0 England, 12 minutes
19:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium are finding ways around the advancing England lines. Niamh Charles sorts her feet out in the nick of time to volley a clearance away having briefly appeared to have been beaten by the flight of a curving pass.
Belgium 1-0 England, 10 minutes
19:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is a much, much better start from Belgium. They break the shackles of the English press thanks to some neat initial work from recalled goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus, with Tessa Wullaert also showing well in the movement as she drops a little deeper.
Belgium 1-0 England, 8 minutes
19:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleExcellent pressing from Aggie Beever-Jones wins the ball back in a good area for England, but the left winger and Nikita Parris aren’t quite able to connect as they might have.
Belgium 1-0 England, 5 minutes
19:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell that will rather focus English minds after encountering limited resistance on Friday. It did look a little too easy for Belgium to break beyond them, there - work to do for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
GOAL! BELGIUM 1-0 England (Tessa Wullaert, 4 minutes)
19:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat a start for Belgium! A clinical finish from Tessa Wullaert!
Back in the side and back amongst the goals! Niamh Charles is caught too deep as the rest of the Englnad backline try to play offside, allowing the home skipper to run free down the right. Hannah Hampton closes the angle but Wullaert is good enough to find a finish, a friendly kiss off the inside of the post giving the hosts the fastest of starts.
Belgium 0-0 England, 2 minutes
19:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome neat play down the left from England with Jess Park and Niamh Charles working well, but Grace Clinton doesn’t quite have the burst to capitalise on a forward pass.
Belgium 0-0 England, 1 minute
19:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleNikita Parris is through the centre for England, supported by Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones in the forward line. It looks like a back three or five again for the hosts, as we anticipated.
KICK OFF!
19:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleUnderway in Leuven.
Belgium vs England
19:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the Leuven evening the players emerge, the temperature dropping a bit and a decent crowd in. England’s last away defeat came here at Den Dreef - those that have travelled to Flanders (and there are a fair few) will be hoping not to see a repeat.
Belgium vs England
19:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow then - a pretty punchy statement from Sarina Wiegman ahead of kick off, confirming what her recent selections have revealed: Hannah Hampton is now England’s No 1
“At this moment, she is a little bit ahead [of Mary Earps,]” Wiegman tells ITV. “We have two world-class goalkeepers, and a group of four goalkeepers who are really good, so it is tough choice. But at the moment, Hannah is a little bit ahead.”
Can Beth Mead impress again?
19:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne of the big winners of England’s outing at Bristol was Beth Mead, perhaps beginning to come under pressure for her place as other talents emerge but producing a timely reminder of her quality on the right-hand side. She might be even more important a figure tonight in a forward line shorn of Alessia Russo and Lauren James - though Nikita Parris has plenty of experience, of course.
Euro 2025 fixtures, dates and kick-off times
19:05 , Harry Latham-CoylePlanning a trip to Switzerland and need a reminder of what the schedule looks like this summer? We’ve got you covered:
Euro 2025 fixtures, dates and kick-off times as England and Wales learn group draw
England’s Euro 2025 squad: Who’s on the plane and who’s got work to do?
18:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleChances tonight, then, for a few of those on the fringes to present their case for Euros selection to Sarina Wiegman. Our Jamie Braidwood has assessed all of those perhaps in contention to come up with a suggested squad for the tournament:
England’s Euro 2025 squad: Who’s on the plane and who’s got work to do?
Exciting times to be part of – Lucy Bronze says England on ‘upward trajectory’
18:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe manner in which they took Belgium apart in Bristol will raise hopes that the Lionesses can defend their title at the Euros in Switzerland this summer, with confidence certainly swelling within the squad.
Exciting times to be part of – Lucy Bronze says England on ‘upward trajectory’
Belgium vs England
18:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt looks a lovely evening in Flanders, the sun beating down as the two sides begin their warm-ups.
Team news - Belgium
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium are able to call upon skipper Tessa Wullaert up front. It looks like a back five again for manager Elisabet Gunnarsdottir.
Belgium XI: Lichtfus; Janssens, Deloose, Tysiak, Cayman, Philtjens; Van Haevermaet, Teulings; Detruyer, Wullaert, Eurlings.
Team news - England
18:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight - there are starts for Nikita Parris and Aggie Beever-Jones, though Sarina Wiegman largely resists the urge to tinker elsewhere. Jess Park is preferred to Ella Toone in a creative midfield role.
England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Charles; Walsh, Clinton; Mead, Park, Parris; Beever-Jones.
Your #Lionesses in Leuven! 🇧🇪🏴 pic.twitter.com/6hSHMSck9I
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) April 8, 2025
Team news on the way...
18:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSo with those issues in mind, will Sarina Wiegman consider this an ideal opportunity to rotate her Lionesses side? We should have team news shortly...
Niamh Charles not dwelling on England injuries in busy end to season
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland defender Niamh Charles is narrowing her focus to prevent the Lionesses’ growing injury list from creeping into her own psyche less than three months out from Euro 2025.
With a congested calendar still ahead – including the conclusions of the Women’s Super League, FA Cup and Champions League campaigns – Chelsea full-back Charles agreed players can be tempted into worrying about becoming the next injury victim – and potentially missing out on England’s title defence this summer.
Niamh Charles not dwelling on England injuries in busy end to season
Injury issues...
17:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd then Alessia Russo followed Arsenal teammate Chloe Kelly in withdrawing from Sarina Wiegman’s squad:
Arsenal handed Alessia Russo injury concern ahead of Champions League semi-finals
Injury issues...
17:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleAll appeared well, then, for England on Friday - until some concerning injury news over the weekend. First to withdraw was Lauren James...
Lauren James withdraws from England squad to hand Chelsea injury scare
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleSarina Wiegman praised her England team after they "kept it simple" in a 5-0 rout of Nations League opponents Belgium at Ashton Gate.
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
‘Finally got one!’ Keira Walsh scores first England goal on 83rd appearance
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne goalscorer was perhaps more popular than any other for England, with Keira Walsh breaking her international duck at the 83rd attempt.
‘Finally got one!’ Keira Walsh scores first England goal on 83rd appearance
England cruise past Belgium with five-star Nations League performance
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland really were very good at Ashton Gate on Friday, finding the exact sort of performance that they would have wanted as Euro 2025 looms larger into view:
England cruise past Belgium with five-star Nations League performance
Belgium vs England LIVE
15:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the Women’s Nations League meeting between Belgium and England in Leuven. It was a tough night in Bristol for the visitors on Friday as the Lionesses showed their strength with a much-needed performance, but a few injury issues have since emerged for Sarina Wiegman. Can the Belgians take advantage back on home soil?
Kick off is at 7.30pm BST.
