England backed up their victory over world champions Spain with an impressive win against Belgium at Ashton Gate in the first fixture of their Nations League double-header as Keira Walsh scored her first goal for the Lionesses in her 83rd international appearance.
Lucy Bronze nodded England in front as she met the cross from Lauren James and her header deflected in. After a commanding first half, which saw Alessia Russo twice hit the post, Bronze’s header set up Millie Bright to double England’s lead from close range.
Sarina Wiegman’s substitutes made the difference in the second half to wrap up a deserved victory. Aggie Beever-Jones first came off the bench to score her first England goal, finishing off Beth Mead’s cross, before another substitute in Jess Park raced away to add a fourth.
And there was still time for midfielder Walsh, who had earlier hit the post, to score her first goal for the Lionesses, as her shot from the edge of the box was deflected in to make it a five-star night.
England will head to Belgium for the return fixture of their Nations League double-header on Tuesday, but will do so with fitness concerns over Russo and James after both were replaced at Ashton Gate.
England vs Belgium LIVE
- England thrash Belgium 5-0 to win first game of Nations League double-header
- Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones score first England goals in impressive win
- 88' GOAL! Keira Walsh scores first England goal as deflected strike goes in (ENG 5-0 BEL)
- 77' GOAL! Jess Park profits from defensive mix-up to add fourth (ENG 4-0 BEL)
- 67' GOAL! Aggie Beever-Jones comes off the bench to score first for England (ENG 3-0 BEL)
- 45' GOAL! Millie Bright forces in second from corner to double lead (ENG 2-0 BEL)
- 42' OFF THE POST! Alessia Russo hits post for second time (ENG 1-0 BEL)
- 21' GOAL! Lucy Bronze heads England in front from James cross (ENG 1-0 BEL)
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
23:53 , Jamie BraidwoodSarina Wiegman praised her England team after they "kept it simple" in a 5-0 rout of Nations League opponents Belgium at Ashton Gate.
First-half goals from Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright underlined England's control of the contest, and it could have been more but Alessia Russo twice hit the post.
Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones scored her maiden Lionesses goal after 67 minutes, with no let-up from England in all areas of the pitch, before Jess Park and Keira Walsh - for a first time in 83 international appearances - also found the target.
Belgium had little answer to England's movement and passing accuracy as the hosts made it seven points from a possible nine in Group A3 ahead of Tuesday's return fixture in Leuven.
Sarina Wiegman pleased to see England picking up momentum in Belgium rout
Lauren James hands Chelsea injury scare with half-time withdrawal in England win
23:33 , Jamie BraidwoodLauren James is a doubt for England’s return fixture against Belgium in the Nations League after Sarina Wiegman said the forward picked up a hamstring issue in the 5-0 win at Ashton Gate on Friday.
Wiegman confirmed that the Chelsea winger was withdrawn at half time as a precaution after feeling her hamstring, in what will be a worry for Sonia Bompastor ahead of the Champions League semi-finals.
Lauren James hands Chelsea injury scare with half-time withdrawal in England win
Sarina Wiegman: 'I do feel something's happening'
22:36 , Jamie BraidwoodSarina Wiegman, speaking to ITV, says that she feels “something’s happening” but urged England to keep their feet on the ground after beating Belgium.
“Tuesday's going to be a different game, so now we win 5-0 we don't all of a sudden think that we are in the best possible place,” she said. “We know we have to improve things. Belgium is a totally different opponent and Spain was and then Portugal is.
"We know where we're at and what we want to improve and we're working on it every day and we need to keep having these connections because I do feel something's happening and we're getting closer.
“In October and November last year we were trying things. We took a risk and they showed some vulnerabilities. It’s not nice but it’s ok to learn and now these games we want to win.”
Aggie Beever-Jones on her first England goal
22:25 , Jamie BraidwoodAggie Beever-Jones, speaking to ITV, about her first England goal:
“I can’t quite believe it. I think I was more buzzing for Keira for scoring, to be honest. I’ve been saying to her, ‘you’ve got to shoot more!’ She’s one of the most technical players I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe that. I need five or 10 minutes for it to sink it. But I’m absolutely delighted.
On her first goal: "I was on loan at Bristol, I played at this stadium before and scored before so I had a good feeling coming into it. For me I pride myself on keeping my feet on the ground and working hard and for hard work you get moments like this. It is so surreal and a dream come true'
Keira Walsh on her first England goal - after 83 games
22:05 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland goalscorer Keira Walsh, speaking to ITV.
“I’m really excited. It took a big deflection but a goal is a goal. The girls are super happy for me which is a nice feeling. Finally got one in the end!
“It’s definitely [worth the wait]. A few of them reminded me how long it’s taken! Just over the moon and it’s good to be off the mark.
“It’s up there with one of my favourite games. In general, the team performance as well. We played a lot of good, attacking football. A nice evening to be a part of.”
Nations League standings after England win
22:00 , Jamie BraidwoodSpain have defeated Portugal 4-2 away from home to end their unbeaten start. It’s England who are at the top of the standings at the midway point of the Nations League, ahead of their trip to Belgium on Tuesday. Belgium remain without a point.
1) England - two wins, one draw, no defeats - 7 points (+6)
2) Spain - two wins, no draws, one defeat - 6 points (+2)
3) Portugal - one win, one draw, one defeat - 4 points (-1)
4) Belgium - no wins, no draws, three defeats - 0 points (-7)
FULL TIME! England 5-0 Belgium
21:57 , Jamie BraidwoodKeira Walsh was wearing the captain’s armband, too, as she scored her first England goal. That’s after Leah Williamson and Millie Bright had been replaced.
FULL TIME! England 5-0 Belgium
21:53 , Jamie BraidwoodA brilliant night for England. Top of their Nations League group. First goals for Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones. Plus some very encouraging performances across the pitch.
They have backed up their win over Spain with an impressive showing in a game they should win.
England 5-0 Belgium
21:51 , Jamie Braidwood90 mins: Into stoppage time. An impressive night for England and some popular names on the scoresheet!
GOAL! England 5-0 Belgium (WALSH 88')
21:46 , Jamie BraidwoodTHERE’S A DEFLECTION BUT KEIRA WALSH HAS JUST SCORED HER FIRST ENGLAND GOAL!
Belgium clear Mead’s free kick but only to the edge of the box. It drops to Walsh, whose strike takes a touch off Vanhaevermaet and beats Evrard.
Incredibly, after 83 England games, a Euros trophy, a World Cup final and many, many more accolades, that’s her first goal for her country!
England 4-0 Belgium
21:43 , Jamie Braidwood84 mins: Alessia Russo has her left ankle wrapped up in ice while sitting on the ENgland bench.
Will be interesting to see if Wiegman has anything to say on what happened to Russo and James tonight...
GOAL! England 4-0 Belgium (PARK 78')
21:35 , Jamie BraidwoodJESS PARK RACES AWAY TO ADD A FOURTH FOR ENGLAND!
There is a horrible, horrible moment at the back for Belgium, with a proper mix-up between Cayman and Iliano in defence.
It leads to Park bearing down on goal with just the keeper to beat. And she does so cooly, opening her body to find the corner.
Two goals in two games for Park, who joins Beever-Jones by scoring off the bench.
England 3-0 Belgium
21:32 , Jamie Braidwood74 mins: A double change for England and perhaps still a concern for Russo (and Arsenal fans). She is replaced by Nikita Parris, while Esme Morgan comes on for Leah Williamson.
England 3-0 Belgium
21:30 , Jamie Braidwood71 mins: OFF THE POST! Keira Walsh is so close to her first England goal! A wonderful driven strike from the midfielder smashes against the bottom of the post.
That would have been her first for England in her 83rd game.
England 3-0 Belgium
21:29 , Jamie Braidwood70 mins: A concern for Russo, briefly, after staying down following a challenge from Iliano. She was limping on her ankle but appears to have run it off.
England 3-0 Belgium
21:28 , Jamie Braidwood68 mins: Incredible moment for Beever-Jones, who then comes very close to a second goal in as many minutes after again arriving at the front post! Her shot goes just past the post, though.
GOAL! England 3-0 Belgium (BEEVER-JONES 67')
21:25 , Jamie BraidwoodA FIRST ENGLAND GOAL FOR AGGIE BEEVER-JONES!
Again, it comes down the right. Bronze, Walsh and Mead link up and Mead drives the ball across goal. Beever-Jones is on her toes and beats Russo to the front post to steer the finish in first time! What a moment!
England 2-0 Belgium
21:23 , Jamie Braidwood65 mins: CLOSE! Belgium are inches away from getting back into the game. The long ball catches England out as Eurlings gets down the wing. She flashes the ball across and Delacauw, who had just come on, meets it in the middle. It takes a touch from Charles to lift it over the bar.
Janssens then flashes another super cross right along the face of goal. It only needed a touch.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:21 , Jamie Braidwood63 mins: So good from Russo to shrug Iliano off the ball again. She looks for Park with the cut-back but Belgium can clear.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:19 , Jamie Braidwood62 mins: There’s a bit of a lull in the game as Belgium make their first changes. England would love a third to wrap this up ahead of Tuesday night.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:17 , Jamie Braidwood59 mins: A second change for England: Jess Park is replacing Ella Toone in what should be a straight swap. Park played on the right wing against Portugal and Spain but wants to be a midfielder for England. She will get a chance at No 10 for the final half hour.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:16 , Jamie Braidwood58 mins: England haven’t been able to get the Mead-Russo-Bronze combination going again in this half. At the other end, Missipo gets around Bronze but Bright is there to clear her cross at the front post.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:13 , Jamie Braidwood55 mins: Beever-Jones was racing away after getting on the end of a Russo knockdown. Janssens takes the winger down on the halfway line and is booked.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:10 , Jamie Braidwood53 mins: Clinton takes a look at goal after jumping onto a loose ball in midfield and driving onto her left foot. She slices wide but there was good intent.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:08 , Jamie Braidwood50 mins: Dangerous from Mead! She fizzes an excellent cross into the box and goalkeeper Evrard does well to punch away. Russo floats a header over the bar.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:06 , Jamie Braidwood47 mins: Good defence from Bronze as she faced up with Eurlings in the box and stuck out a well-timed leg. England deal with the danger and clear.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:03 , Jamie Braidwood46 mins: We are back underway in Bristol.
England 2-0 Belgium
21:02 , Jamie Braidwood46 mins: A chance for Aggie Beever-Jones in the second half. She’s replacing Lauren James at the break. ITV are saying that James has a slight thigh injury.
Beever-Jones replacing James means there are still six Chelsea players on the pitch.
HALF TIME! England 2-0 Belgium
20:57 , Jamie BraidwoodSome of the link-up play between the England players has been superb tonight. The movement between Bronze, Mead and Russo, with the passes from deep from Walsh and Williamson, have caused Belgium tons of problems.
Now, can England keep this up and build on their advantage? Elsewhere in the Nations League, Spain are leading Portugal 3-1 with 55 minutes played.
HALF TIME! England 2-0 Belgium
20:51 , Jamie BraidwoodA very good first half from England, who lead thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and could have been further in front after Alessia Russo twice hit the post.
Speaking of, a slight concern for England as Russo was holding her knee after hitting the post for the second time.
GOAL! England 2-0 Belgium (BRIGHT 45')
20:47 , Jamie BraidwoodENGLAND DOUBLE THEIR LEAD ON HALF-TIME! For the second time, England strike from a corner. Mead’s inswinging cross is touched on by Bronze at the front post and Bright is in the right place at the right time to force it over the line at the back stick. Just what England deserve after a strong end to the half.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:46 , Jamie Braidwood44 mins: Brilliant move - again. Belgium just can’t deal with Mead and she is released once more with a cutting pass from Walsh. Mead goes herself this time, but Evrard saves to her right.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:43 , Jamie Braidwood41 mins: OFF THE POST AGAIN! Another super England move on the right, with Mead played in with a lovely pass around the corner. Mead pulled it back to Russo and for the second time the Arsenal striker clips the outside of the post with a first-time effort. Very unlucky.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:41 , Jamie Braidwood38 mins: The offside flag is up again for Missipo, as Bronze stepped up. It really does feel that Bronze, at 33, is as important for England as ever ahead of the Euros, so good both in defence and attack down the right for the Lionesses and Chelsea.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:41 , Jamie Braidwood38 mins: The offside flag is up again for Missipo, as Bronze stepped up. It really does feel that Bronze, at 33, is as important for England as ever ahead of the Euros, so good both in defence and attack down the right for the Lionesses and Chelsea.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:36 , Jamie Braidwood35 mins: Super strength from Russo to beat Iliano for pace and then hold off the Belgium defender. It almost lead to a chance but Russo and Mead got in each other’s way.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:35 , Jamie Braidwood33 mins: Janssens looks to break beyond Bronze but the England right back stepped up to catch her offside. Belgium are very direct.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:32 , Jamie Braidwood31 mins: England look to be clever from the free kick 30 yards out. Mead rolls it through to James and her cross towards the back post is not too far away from Bright.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:31 , Jamie Braidwood29 mins: More danger from Bronze, who is really enjoying playing behind Mead on the right. She gets released down the right and drives a low ball across the face, but no one is there making the late run.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:29 , Jamie Braidwood27 mins: Some danger from Belgium as Janssens gets down the side of Charles. Williamson clears and then Bronze helps it away. But that’s a reminder of Belgium’s threat, who are looking for the space behind Charles and Bright.
England 1-0 Belgium
20:25 , Jamie Braidwood23 mins: CHANCE! England are looking so dangerous up front. Russo is again at the centre of it and chips a tricky cross into the middle after James wins it back. It’s only a yard away from landing at Mead’s feet but she was almost in.
GOAL! England 1-0 Belgium (BRONZE 21)
20:22 , Jamie BraidwoodBREAKTHROUGH! It comes from the corner, as England go short and Mead tees up James. She floats the cross into the middle and Bronze is there to get the flick - it goes in via a deflection from Tysiak to give England the lead!
A goal from Bronze on her 130th appearance!
England 0-0 Belgium
20:21 , Jamie Braidwood20 mins: OFF THE POST! The closest England have come! Mead is released down the right and slides in to set up Russo... the in-form striker doesn’t need to look up to unleash a powerful effort, but it whacks against the upright and bounces out!
England 0-0 Belgium
20:20 , Jamie Braidwood19 mins: Eurlings won the free-kick in the final third after a nibble from Clinton and Walsh. Tysiak is found unmarked at the back post but the cross runs through.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:19 , Jamie Braidwood17 mins: CLOSE! If anyone can, it’s Lauren James. She gets the free-kick up and down but it’s just over the top of the crossbar. Decent effort.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:18 , Jamie Braidwood16 mins: Clinton turns well in midfield and is dragged back by Vanhaevermaet, who is booked. England have the free-kick 25 yards out.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:17 , Jamie Braidwood14 mins: Good move from England. Russo plays a lovely ball around the corner for Mead to run onto. Her delivery looks for Clinton or Toone arriving but doesn’t drop. It does land at Charles’ feet but her shot is blocked.
A sixth corner for England, but this too is cleared by Belgium.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:14 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: The remarkable corner count continues to rise. Bronze this time concedes the corner and she steers a switch of play out behind.
Clinton just about manages to clear but Belgium keep England in their own half.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:12 , Jamie Braidwood9 mins; Russo pops up down the right this time, running the channel to get onto Williamson’s downfield pass. It leads to a fifth corner already for England.
And they are getting closer. Williamson gets a touch on it and Bright is not far away from stabbing in from six yards, but goalkeeper Evrard collects.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:10 , Jamie Braidwood8 mins: Neat exchange between Bronze, Mead and Clinton down the right. Belgium’s Vanhaevermaet clears for the corner.
From it, Bronze gets ahead of her marker but flicks Mead’s cross wide of the far post.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:07 , Jamie Braidwood6 mins: James looks for Russo with a ball down the line but overhits it. Walsh is almost caught in midfield but Charles is sharp to win it back quickly.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:05 , Jamie Braidwood4 mins: Bright makes the first contact on the corner and clears for England.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:04 , Jamie Braidwood3 mins: Mead goes short to James and the forward chips a teasing cross towards the back post. It evades everyone but James found a good angle.
At the other end, Belgium look to hit quickly with a ball behind Charles. They win an early corner too.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:03 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: Mead’s lifted corner drifts through but Walsh keeps it alive with a dink to the back post. It’s scrambled behind.
The second corner from Mead is also put behind.
England 0-0 Belgium
20:02 , Jamie Braidwood1 mins: An early touch for James out on the left. She exchanges a one-two with Toone and wins an early corner for England.
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Belgium
20:00 , Jamie BraidwoodUnderway in Bristol! A special evening for Lucy Bronze, meanwhile, as the right back makes her 130th England appearance and moves into the top-five of all time for the Lionesses.
A reminder of the team news and how to watch
19:58 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Charles; Walsh, Toone, Clinton; Mead, Russo, James.
Belgium XI: Evrard, Cayman, Iliano, Tysiak, Janssens, Philtjens,Teulings, Missipo, Vanhaevermaet, Eurlings, Toloba
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1,
England's return to Ashton Gate
19:48 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland have won both previous matches they have played at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate - including a 6-1 win over Belgium in February 2023.
This is the only Nations League game they will play away from Wembley, which will also stage the final fixture against Portugal in May.
Confirmed England team
18:46 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland team to face Belgium:
Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Charles; Walsh, Toone, Clinton; Mead, Russo, James.
Chloe Kelly withdraws from England squad
18:32 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland have confirmed that Chloe Kelly has returned to Arsenal for treatment on her foot injury.
The winger will play no part in tonight’s match and is now out of the return fixture in Leuven on Tuesday.
England will be wary of Belgium's threat
18:09 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland have lost just one of their 14 previous matches against Belgium, but it was their most recent meeting.
The Lionesses went down 3-2 to Belgium in October 2023 as England finished second to the Netherlands in their Nations League group.
No team has beaten England twice under Sarina Wiegman - Belgium could become the first team, ahead of Spain, Germany, Sweden and France, to do so.
