England thrash Belgium to go top of Nations League group
Aggie Beever-Jones & Keira Walsh score first senior Lionesses goals
Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and substitute Jess Park also net
England face Belgium in return fixture on Tuesday
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England 2-0 Belgium
Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
It's nice that Aggie Beever-Jones has a whole half to have a go.
She's got great little footwork, can deliver a great cross or shot. It's a great opportunity for her to make her mark.
England 2-0 Belgium
Aggie Beever-Jones is on for England, replacing Lauren James.
We're not too sure if that's a tactical decision from Sarina Wiegman or if there's some kind of injury issue for James. Hopefully that's not the case.
England 2-0 Belgium
Away we go again! Let's find out if England can add a few more goals to their tally in Bristol.
HT: England 2-0 Belgium
Image source, Getty ImagesReigning Nations League champions Spain are ahead against Portugal in a high-scoring encounter in Pacos de Ferreira.
Spain took the lead in the 25th minute through Patri Guijarro but Catarina Amado equalised for Portugal two minutes later.
The visitors took control of proceedings on the stroke of half-time, with goals from Manchester City's Laia Aleixandri and Claudia Pina.
However, a 56th minute penalty from Carole Costa dragged Portugal back into the game to set up a tense final 30 minutes.
Portugal headed into this fixture at the top of Group A3 on four points, ahead of England on goal difference, while Spain sat third with one win and one defeat from February's fixtures.
HT: England 2-0 Belgium
Scotland are heading towards a third defeat in three Nations League matches as they trail Germany 4-0 in Dundee.
Germany took the lead inside 60 seconds through Elise Senss and doubled their advantage in the 21st minute courtesy of an own goal from Sophie Howard.
Cora Zicai and Lea Schuller got themselves on the scoresheet shortly after the break as Germany all but secured the three points inside an hour.
Scotland currently sit bottom in Group A1 having previously lost to Austria and Netherlands.
In Group A2, meanwhile, Wales are trailing Denmark 2-1 in Cardiff.
Signe Bruun put the visitors ahead but Liverpool's Ceri Holland levelled in the 34th minute, firing a right-footed shot into the roof of the net after being picked out in the box by Rhiannon Roberts.
However, Amalie Vangsgaard restored Denmark's lead in the 72nd minute, coolly finishing off a clinical counter-attack.
Image source, Getty ImagesRight, let's take a quick look at what's been going on elsewhere in the Women's Nations League...
HT: England 2-0 Belgium
Ian Wright
Former England striker on ITV
Alessia [Russo] has been fantastic. I know she has been doing a lot of work with Kelly Smith and it shows. Her striking of the ball has improved so much. The link-up play has been fantastic. If you look at her strikes on goal, so good, so crisp. She has hit the post frequently, she is making sure the goalkeeper is trying to make saves.
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Great performance from Lionesses in first half. Feels just like a few years ago when they were unstoppable. Go girls.
Ian
Image source, Getty ImagesHT: England 2-0 Belgium
Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on ITV
I think Lucy Bronze has been the best player on the pitch. Her hunger and desire to get forward, she is playing at right-back but at times you see her in the centre forward role. The attitude and mentality and she was involved in the second goal as well.
HT: England 2-0 Belgium
Two goals from two defenders. Not what you might expect when Arsenal team-mates Alessia Russo and Beth Mead have been linking up so well.
You have to say, Lucy Bronze is having a superb game in her 130th senior appearance for the Lionesses.
HT: England 2-0 Belgium
Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
I think Sarina Wiegman will be happy, she will want the girls to be tidier in possession, be secure in terms of the ball and want more goals.
It really sets the tone for the rest of the game. The set-pieces, hitting the crossbar, hitting the post, the miss from Beth Mead, they're doing all the right things in terms of chance creation. Now you really have to be clinical because that's what wins you tournaments.
HT: England 2-0 Belgium
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Ashton Gate
Completely in control. England's players and Sarina Wiegman will be very happy.
They have still been a bit sloppy in possession but some of their attacking play has been really nice.
But it's two defenders on the scoresheet!
England 2-0 Belgium
And there's the whistle. A solid first-half performance from Sarina Wiegman's side.
Image source, PA MediaEngland 2-0 Belgium
Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
That was so brave from Millie Bright, she could see the goalkeeper was coming.
Bright is a leader, she leads by example and it's a perfect way to end the half.
Millie Bright
On the stroke of half-time!
England double their lead as Millie Bright battles through a wall of defenders to bundle in.
Lucy Bronze, who has been in top form so far tonight, is involved again, glancing the corner towards the six-yard box where Bright was ready to pounce.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 1-0 Belgium
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Ashton Gate
That partnership between Beth Mead and Alessia Russo that has looked so good with Arsenal is looking very good again here.
England 1-0 Belgium
England should have another, but a decent save from Nicky Evrard to stop Beth Mead's powerful effort from close range.
England 1-0 Belgium
Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
If only the goal was an inch wider that would've been in.
It's well worked, a lovely ball in from Beth Mead.
This game just needs a second goal.
England 1-0 Belgium
Alessia Russo falls flat on her front as the woodwork denies her again after she tries to squeeze Beth Mead's pass in at the near post.
She seems to have some sort of issue with her knee. Let's hope that's nothing too serious.
England 1-0 Belgium
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Ashton Gate
"Football's coming home," is being sung by the England supporters which feels relevant after the news this week that the home nations will be hosting the 2035 Women's World Cup.
I think they would like to see another Euros trophy return to England before then as well...
England have picked up seven points from a possible nine in the Women's Nations League
England moved top of their Women's Nations League group with a comfortable victory over Belgium at Ashton Gate.
In an impressive performance, Lucy Bronze flicked in the opener before Millie Bright nodded in England's second on the stroke of half-time after a Bronze assist.
Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones slotted past visiting goalkeeper Nicky Evrard to make it 3-0 with her first goal for the senior team, while Jess Park added a calmly-taken fourth in the 77th minute.
Keira Walsh rounded off the success with a late strike into the bottom corner for the 27-year-old's first international goal on her 83rd cap - and it could have been many more for England in a dominant display.
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo struck the woodwork twice, while Chelsea midfielder Walsh's long-range effort also bounced back off the post.
Sarina Wiegman's side built on their victory over world champions Spain in February as they gear up to defend their European title in Switzerland this summer.
Despite missing several players through injury, the Lionesses looked full of creativity and confidence in Bristol - and the scoreline did not flatter them.
They impressed going forward and were rarely tested at the back as Wiegman was able to rotate her team amid a busy club schedule.
England continue their Women's Nations League campaign in Belgium on Tuesday (19:30 BST kick-off), having picked up seven points from a possible nine so far, topping Group A3 by a point from Spain who won 4-2 in Portugal.
Having beaten Spain at Wembley in February, boss Wiegman wanted her side to continue on the winning path - and they did it in style against bottom-of-the-table Belgium.
It was a controlled and clinical performance from the Lionesses as they set the tone early on with back-to-back corners, testing Evrard and her defence from the off.
Russo, who has been in fine form for Arsenal in recent weeks, thought she had scored twice in the first half only to be denied by the woodwork after nice link-up play with Gunners team-mate Beth Mead.
Mead returned to the starting XI – Wiegman's only change from the victorious side against Spain – and she proved why it was the right decision with clever runs in behind and a blossoming partnership with Russo on show.
Most of England's success came down their right-hand side through Mead and Bronze – the Chelsea full-back was once again a standout performer and rewarded with her goal.
Lauren James was also a threat and came close when she curled a free-kick inches over the crossbar, and it was her teasing delivery that was flicked on acrobatically by Bronze for the 21st-minute opener.
The experienced defender was involved in the second goal too just before half-time when she flicked on Mead's corner and Bright bravely put her head to the ball in front of goalkeeper Evrard at the back post.
That meant the job was mostly done and with Belgium tiring, Beever-Jones, Park and Walsh - driving a low effort home two minutes from time for her long-awaited goal - completed the rout in an enjoyable second half.
It was the perfect evening for Wiegman as she was able to bring off key players Ella Toone, Leah Williamson, Russo and James and gave further opportunities for Park and Beever-Jones to showcase themselves under little pressure.
"Of course you want to do really well in the Nations League and win which also brings you in a good position for the draw for the World Cup," said Wiegman afterwards.
"At the same time, it's preparation for the Euros. When you get the opportunity to see many players that are knocking on the door and you see combinations, that is really nice. We did that today."
England are now starting to build some momentum as they continue their preparations for this summer's Euros in Switzerland, and this was evidence of the progress they have made in recent months.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
|
2 Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
|
3 Austria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 |
|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
|
2 Norway | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
|
3 Iceland | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
|
4 Switzerland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| |
2 Spain | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
|
3 Portugal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
|
4 Belgium | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Sweden | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
|
2 Denmark | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
|
3 Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
|
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Poland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
| |
3 Bosnia-Herzegovina | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 3 |
|
4 Romania | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Slovenia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| |
3 Turkey | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
|
4 Greece | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Serbia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
|
2 Finland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
|
3 Hungary | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
|
4 Belarus | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 2 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Ukraine | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
|
2 Czech Republic | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
|
3 Albania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 |
|
4 Croatia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Slovakia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 9 |
|
2 Faroe Islands | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
|
3 Moldova | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 3 |
|
4 Gibraltar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Cyprus | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
|
2 Malta | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
|
3 Georgia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 3 |
|
4 Andorra | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Luxembourg | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 7 |
|
2 Armenia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|
3 Kazakhstan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
|
4 Liechtenstein | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | -16 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Montenegro | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
|
2 Azerbaijan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
|
3 Lithuania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Israel | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
|
2 Estonia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
|
3 Bulgaria | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Latvia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
|
2 Kosovo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
3 North Macedonia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: ElÃsabet Gunnarsdóttir
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: ElÃsabet Gunnarsdóttir
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
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