Summary

  • Hemp's early goal gives England deserved win over Belgium

  • Victory leaves Lionesses second in Group A1 behind Netherlands

  • England were beaten 2-1 by Netherlands in previous game

  • Match played at Leicester's King Power Stadium

  1. Postpublished at 69 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    A lovely ball into the Belgium box which is pushed away by the keeper before Rachel Daly can make contact.

  2. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 68 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    By the way, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo have made way for Kirby and Rachel Daly.

  3. 'Great to see Kirby back'published at 21:09 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England 1-0 BelgiumImage source, Getty Images

    It's been a long time since we've seen Fran Kirby in a Lionesses shirt.

    She will have been so disappointed to have missed the World Cup in the summer, so it it great to see her back.

    She has made a great start to the season with Chelsea so far, so she is building back to her best.

  4. Postpublished at 66 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    And almost immediately Fran Kirby almost sets up a chance for Chloe Kelly after clever work on the edge of the box.

  5. Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    England 1-0 BelgiumImage source, Getty Images

    Here we go. Sarina Wiegman has made the changes.

    Fran Kirby is back on the pitch for England for the first time in a year. Her last appearance was in October 2022.

    The roar when she came on... Wow. She got a big hug from Daly too.

  6. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 63 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Fran Kirby is back! A huge roar as she returns to the pitch after her injury problems.

  7. 'Much better from Belgium'published at 21:05 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Belgium look a more confident and settled side in this second half.

    They are stringing together more pass sequences and look so settled in possession. Much better from the visitors.

  8. Postpublished at 61 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    We're past the hour mark. England continue to see plenty of the ball as Belgium continue to invite pressure. The Red Flames remain very much in this despite the home team's domination.

  9. 'England need second goal'published at 21:03 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Vicki Sparks
    BBC commentator, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

    You get the feeling that England just need that second goal to make this result safe.

    They can't afford to slip up after that defeat to the Netherlands.

  10. Postpublished at 21:02 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    There's another game taking place in England's group tonight. The Netherlands now lead Scotland 3-0 - Lineth Beerensteyn with the latest goal.

  11. 'Earps made that save look simple'published at 21:00 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Mary Earps made that save look so much easier than it was.

    To see the ball coming in from distance, through bodies, to then judge the flight and then also get two solid palms on it to push it away - she has made that look really simple.

    My concern is why did the Belgium player have so much time to take the shot on there?

  12. Postpublished at 57 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Where would England be without Earps?

    Two quality saves from the keeper tonight.

  13. Postpublished at 20:59 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    Fran Kirby is out warming up. There's plenty of us thinking 'get her on, Sarina.'

    She has been such a huge miss for England. To see her back on the pitch in white would be a massive boost.

  14. CLOSE!published at 56 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Oh. My. Word.

    Out of nowhere Belgium almost equalise as Sarah Wijnants has a crack from distance.

    Not for the first time, Mary Earps comes to the rescue.

  15. Postpublished at 55 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    England 1-0 BelgiumImage source, Reuters

    55 minutes on the clock - 17 attempts for England.

  16. Postpublished at 52 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Georgia Stanway does well to make contact with a lofted ball into the box but she cannot steer it on target.

    England are knocking on the door and Belgium are hanging on.

  17. Postpublished at 20:54 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    Alessia Russo bowed her head straight after missing that chance.

    Chloe Kelly had done all the hard work and Russo just needed to adjust her feet to direct the ball and didn't get it right. More frustration in front of goal for England.

    Sarina Wiegman does have last season's WSL Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly on the bench remember.

  18. Postpublished at 50 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    What a run by Chloe Kelly who drives at the Belgium defence before Alessia Russo lifts a chance over the bar. It's one way traffic but still only one goal for the Lionesses.

  19. Postpublished at 20:52 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    You can see the frustration from the England players, the desire to score that second goal is huge. You can feel it.

    That is exactly what the half time team talk would have been about.

    Several of them reacted so expressively after those chances, Ella Toone throwing her arms up and rubbing her face.

  20. Postpublished at 48 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Lucy BronzeImage source, Reuters

    And another chance!

    This time it falls to Lucy Bronze whose header falls agonisingly wide of the target.