Just when England’s Lionesses thought they were building real momentum ahead of their summer Euros title defense, Belgium stormed in with a sharp reminder that no game is ever in the bag.
On a chilly night in Leuven, the Red Flames came out with fire in their boots, flipping the narrative on its head and scoring three goals in the first 30 minutes—completely blindsiding Sarina Wiegman’s squad.
It was a shock to the system for England, especially considering they’d dominated Belgium just a few days earlier with a 5-1 win back home.
But this time, the home side clearly had revenge on their minds—and they weren’t messing around.
Wiegman Reflects on a Rough Start and Missed Opportunities
Sarina Wiegman didn’t sugarcoat things after the match.
Speaking with a clear sense of frustration, she admitted the Lionesses were far from their best.
“We didn’t start well,” she said. “Belgium were ruthless on the counter and scored from a free-kick.
Being 3-0 down in 30 minutes is just something we can’t allow to happen.”
Wiegman did point out that the team showed resilience by fighting back with two goals, but she acknowledged that it simply wasn’t enough on the night. “We just weren’t good enough today.”
The Night Belonged to Belgium—and Tessa Wullaert
From the moment the whistle blew, Belgium looked like a completely different team than the one that got routed in Bristol.
Leading the charge was captain Tessa Wullaert, who made her mark early by shrugging off Niamh Charles and slotting the ball past England keeper Hannah Hampton.
Justine Vanhaevermaet added a second not long after, and then Wullaert was at it again to make it three.
England’s defense, already stretched thin from injuries, was caught off guard and scrambling to recover.
England’s Injury Woes Continue to Pile Up
The Lionesses came into the match already struggling with a growing list of injuries.
Lauren James, Alessia Russo, and Chloe Kelly were all unavailable, and Wiegman’s backline was reshuffled more than she would’ve liked.
At halftime, she made two big changes—swapping out Niamh Charles and Millie Bright for Jess Carter and Esme Morgan in hopes of steadying the ship.
Beth Mead and Michelle Agyemang Offer a Glimmer of Hope
Despite the early damage, England did manage to claw their way back into the game.
Beth Mead won and converted a penalty just before halftime to get one on the board.
Then came a moment of pure magic from 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang.
Called up late due to Russo’s absence, the young Brighton striker made the most of her chance.
Just 41 seconds after stepping onto the pitch, she scored a stunning debut goal, calmly finishing off a deep ball from Leah Williamson.
Wiegman couldn’t help but smile when talking about the teen’s performance.
“She came in and did really well. That goal was incredible—the calmness, the composure… we have to celebrate that.”
Lessons Learned as England Drop to Second in the Group
The night ended in disappointment, but also served as a valuable learning experience.
Wiegman remained clear-headed despite the loss, saying, “It doesn’t feel good, but this is something we’ll take with us. It’s April—we’ll use this to get better.”
Meanwhile, Spain’s 7-1 thrashing of Portugal meant they leapfrogged England to take the top spot in the Nations League group.
What’s Next for the Lionesses?
With a few months still to go before the Euros, England has time to regroup.
The team has shown sparks of brilliance, but also moments of vulnerability—especially when dealing with injuries and high-pressure situations.
Wiegman and her squad will now focus on tightening up their defense, rebuilding confidence, and making sure their next outing doesn’t include another surprise like the one in Leuven.