BELGIUM have beaten England 3-2 on a disappointing night for Sarina Weigman’s side.
The Lionesses found themselves behind early doors after a stunning free-kick from Laura De Neve put the hosts ahead.
Alex Greenwood was stretchered off in the first half after clashing heads with Belgium’s Jassina Blom.
Sarina Weigman’s side made it 1-1 through Lucy Bronze’s excellent header before Fran Kirby put England in front minutes later.
Tessa Wullaert scored Belgium’s equaliser for 2-2, then converted a penalty late in the second half to seal a 3-2 win and give the hosts 3 points in Group A1.
The defeat in Leuven leaves Sarina Wiegman’s side with a small hill to climb, with the team needing a win against Holland at Wembley in December to keep Team GB’s Olympic qualification hopes alive.
- Match result: Belgium 3-2 England
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That’s all from Leuven
England suffer a shock 3-2 defeat to Belgium, leaving them third in Group A1.
The Lionesses now face a huge uphill battle to qualify for the Olympics on behalf of Team GB.
Next up for Sarina Wiegman’s side is a return to Wembley Stadium, where they host Netherlands on December 1.
But until then, thank you for reading and goodnight!
Sarina Wiegman reacts
Speaking to ITV, the England manager said:
“They scored three goals and we scored two. This was a game I think we should have been tighter on the ball. The tempo wasn’t great.
“We did create lots of chances, we dominated the game totally. We lost the ball and they were gone on the counter attack. It was us that made it hard.
“They played top and played very compact. It’s something we have to get out of our game. We have to do better in the final third.
“We were sloppy on the ball and they were ready for that. They play their long ball and they are gone. We didn’t do it good enough today.”
Credit: Alamy Lucy Bronze reacts
Speaking to ITV, the England full-back said:
“We created more chances than the last game but we were sloppier on the ball. Their goals came from our loose passes.
“Apart from that they didn’t really create anything, particularly in the first half and we had a few chances to put the game to bed if we were a little bit more clinical in front of goal.
“We were pushing at the end, we were unfortunate to give away a penalty. We just couldn’t get the ball across the line in the last 30 minutes.
“The other game was almost the opposite. We were so good on the ball, we just didn’t create chances.
“The whole team needed to step up and obviously there was that big break where Alex had to come off who is probably one of our key players on the ball.
“One of those things. We have to do a lot better. Similar happened against Holland where we gave it away too sloppily, too easily. It’s something we need to work on collectively and individually, we need to look at ourselves and go again.”
Credit: PA
Alex Greenwood update
Alex Greenwood is conscious, taking and being monitored by England’s medical staff.
The defender was stretchered off with a serious head injury during the first half.
Match Stats
The Lionesses had by far the most chances this evening, but they failed to make the most of them.
Credit: UEFA Full Time – Belgium 3-2 England
England had never conceded three goals in one game under the management of Sarina Wiegman until today.
Full Time – Belgium 3-2 England
England are burned by the Red Flames in Leuven.
Credit: Alamy 90+2. Belgium 3-2 England
England have a free kick on the halfway line.
Kelly takes it, but the ball curls straight towards Evrard and the goalkeeper claims it without coming under any threat.
90+1. Belgium 3-2 England
Three minutes have been added on.
89. Belgium 3-2 England
Substitution for Belgium.
Wullaert is replaced by Janssens.
88. Belgium 3-2 England
The Lionesses have completely dominated this game, but they have failed to make the most of their chances.
Belgium on the other hand have done just that.
85. GOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL BELGIUM!!!
Wullaert converts the spot kick!
84. PENALTY
Belgium have a penalty!
Stanway was deemed to handle the ball.
81. Belgium 2-2 England
The Lionesses have been all over Belgium in this second half.
Walsh sends another excellent pass over to Daly in the box, who heads it towards goal, but her effort is saved by Evrard.
77. Belgium 2-2 England
England go for goal again as the ball comes out to Bronze on the edge of the box.
She shoots first time, but Cayman makes the block.
74. Belgium 2-2 England
A double change for Belgium now.
Daniels replaces Blom.
Delacauw replaces Detruyer.
68. Belgium 2-2 England
England make two changes.
Toone is on to replace Kirby.
Daly is on to replace Russo.
65. Belgium 2-2 England
England look to break forward again as Walsh finds Bronze in the box with a brilliant through ball, but the full-back can just about keep it in before Evrard claims it.
Credit: EPA 64. Belgium 2-2 England
Russo is sent through on goal and attempts to shoot from a tight angle, but her shot hits the side netting.
61. Belgium 2-2 England
Earps comes to England’s rescue once again as she makes a brilliant save to deny Wullaert.
The striker managed to get past both Bright and Carter before getting her shot away.
59. Belgium 2-2 England
The Lionesses are desperately trying to chip away at the Belgium defence, but they are struggling to make the most of their chances.
Just over 30 minutes to play now.
52. Belgium 2-2 England
England come close again as Hemp picks up the ball and sets it back to Russo, who sends a perfect pass through to Bronze.
The full-back heads it to Kirby, who makes a run into the box before shooting, but her effort takes a deflection and is cleared off the line.
Credit: PA 47. Belgium 2-2 England
Chance for England as Kelly sends a free kick into the box.
Russo looks to get the shot away, but she can’t get enough contact on the ball and it goes out for a corner.
These set-pieces are proving to be a huge challenge for Belgium.
46. Belgium 2-2 England
Missipo is booked by the referee for a reckless challenge on Kirby.
Luckily, the Chelsea star is able to play on.
Kick Off – Belgium 2-2 England
We’re back underway!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
