Sarina Wiegman's side were 5-0 winners against the same opponents on Friday night, but looked a totally different team in the reverse fixture
Many unwanted memories will have flooded back for several England players when the Lionesses walked out at Den Dreef on Tuesday night to take on Belgium in the Nations League. It was here that Sarina Wiegman's side suffered their last away defeat, losing 3-2 to the Red Flames in the previous edition of this competition. It was almost like that last meeting in Leuven haunted England upon their return, too, as just four days after thrashing the same opponent 5-0 in Bristol, the Lionesses found themselves 3-0 down within half an hour and on their way to another eventual 3-2 loss.
It's been a tricky few days for the European champions. Chloe Kelly withdrew from the squad just before Friday's game, then Lauren James and Alessia Russo followed suit over the weekend after picking up knocks in the win. None of that could excuse the truly terrible defending that led to the Lionesses conceding three goals before the half hour mark in this rematch, though, with Belgium experiencing quite opposite fortunes as they were buoyed by the return of Tessa Wullaert. It was the former Manchester City striker who broke the deadlock, delivered the free-kick for Justine Vanhaevermaet to head home a second and then made it three herself.
Wiegman pulled no punches at half time. Off came Millie Bright and Niamh Charles, both exposed with regularity in that first half. But despite improving defensively, pulling a goal back from the penalty spot through Beth Mead and seeing teenage debutante Michelle Agyemang score an incredible volley late on, England couldn't mount the almighty comeback needed to maintain top spot in their Nations League group. After such a positive result on Friday, this changes the whole complexion of this international window, and puts even more pressure on games against Portugal and Spain at the end of the season.
GOAL rates England's players from Den Dreef…
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Hannah Hampton (5/10):
Could perhaps have done better for one or two of the goals but the blame lay mostly with her defenders. Made a good stop at 3-0 to stop the game getting even further away from England.
Lucy Bronze (4/10):
Offered a good outlet going forward but was all over the place defensively. Only half-got back into position in the build-up to Belgium's third and paid the price.
Leah Williamson (5/10):
England's most competent defender, though the bar was not high.
Millie Bright (3/10):
A surprisingly poor defensive display from someone in such good form. Lost her marker for both the second and third goals. Hooked at half time.
Niamh Charles (3/10):
Was regularly caught out by a simple balls in behind, including for Belgium's opener. Also off at the break.
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Keira Walsh (5/10):
Lost the ball too easily and had some poor defensive moments, too.
Grace Clinton (6/10):
One of the only players who did themselves justice in the first half. Tidy in possession, worked hard to press and looked the most likely to create something, though it was difficult to do so.
Jess Park (5/10):
Struggled to really get involved, though tried her best to do so and make things happen.
AFPAttack
Beth Mead (6/10):
Good on the ball, strong in her duels and composed from the spot to put away the penalty she won.
Nikita Parris (5/10):
Worked hard but struggled to hold the ball up consistently well to allow England to kickstart attacks in that manner.
Aggie Beever-Jones (5/10):
Couldn't get involved in the game much at all out wide, though had more joy when moved central for the last half hour.
AFPSubs & Manager
Esme Morgan (6/10):
Settled in well at centre-back and in tough circumstances.
Jess Carter (6/10):
Likewise, helped shore up a back line that was all over the shop.
Ella Toone (6/10):
Lively from the second she came on and was England's best, and most threatening, player for the final half hour.
Fran Kirby (5/10):
Had a couple of nice moments and made a lot of good runs, but England didn't get the ball to her enough in those situations.
Michelle Agyemang (N/A):
Made her England debut in the final few minutes and scored an incredible goal after just 41 seconds.
Sarina Wiegman (5/10):
Had her hands tied with team selection a little due to injuries but the changes she made didn't pay off. To her credit, she responded accordingly, making two subs at the break and another two before the hour. However, the damage was already done, even if Agyemang's late stunner made it close.