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. 'Russo had to do better'published at 20:18 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

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

    Russo had to do better there! I don't know if she expected De Caigny to get a touch ahead of her.

    A great ball from Millie Bright and Russo just can't get that decisive touch on the ball to make it 2-0.

  2. Postpublished at 31 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    As vulnerable as they look at the back, the Lionesses look like they could score each time they attack. Another chance as the ball is fizzed across the face of the six-yard box but there is no one to tuck it home.

  3. Postpublished at 29 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    England still look vulnerable at the back.

    Tessa Wullaert goes close with a deflected attempt following a fine solo run before Kassandra Missipo fires into the side netting from a corner.

    Warning signs for the Lionesses.

  4. 'Toone in acres and acres of space'published at 20:13 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

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

    Ella Toone is still in absolute acres and acres of space, free as a bird on the edge of the box.

    I'm just waiting for England to find her and give her that opportunity to take a shot on.

  5. Postpublished at 27 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Two quick corners end with half a chance for Ella Toone but she gets it all wrong with her attempt.

  6. 'Nothing in that'published at 20:11 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

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

    I don't think there was any intent there from Greenwood, she just tries to get in the line of Missipo to stop her nicking in and getting the ball.

    Nothing in that for me.

  7. 'England enjoying themselves'published at 20:10 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    Lucy Bronze did a few flicks in the warm-up and she's just done such a casual one there to Keira Walsh which got a ripple of appreciation throughout the crowd.

    England are enjoying themselves and look much better than they did in September.

  8. Postpublished at 24 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Belgium are chipping away and Mary Earps is forced into another save after a poor clearance. Moments later Alex Greenwood gets a lecture from the referee after catching Kassandra Missipo.

  9. Postpublished at 21 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    England 1-0 BelgiumImage source, Getty Images

    It's all England - 73% possession in the opening 20 minutes. The only disappointment is they don't lead by more.

  10. Postpublished at 20:05 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    News from the other game in England's group. The Netherlands lead Scotland 1-0 thanks to Danielle van de Donk. They have six points as it stands - as do the Lionesses.

  11. Postpublished at 18 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    England 1-0 BelgiumImage source, Getty Images

    No one is marking Ella Toone when the ball falls to her outside the box. She goes for goal and forces a save.

  12. Postpublished at 17 mins

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Sarina Wiegman will be thrilled with this reaction after the bitter disappointment of conceding a late winner against the Netherlands last time out.

    England look like they have a point to prove - and they are making it.

  13. Postpublished at 20:01 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    England are good from set-pieces too!

    Millie Bright gets the better of Kassandra Missipo in the box and Lauren Hemp was the quickest to react.

    She was on the scoresheet in England's last home game against Scotland too.

  14. 'Hemp the poacher'published at 20:00 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 1-0 Belgium

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

    Lauren Hemp celebrates with team-mates after opening the scoring for EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    It was a good delivery from Chloe Kelly, and a great header from Millie Bright. Unfortunate not to score the first time around, hitting the post.

    And it's Lauren Hemp who reacts first, on the volley, to open the scoring. No question about it. We saw this a lot from her in the World Cup, the poacher she is. A convincing strike.

  15. goal

    GOAL - England 1-0 Belgiumpublished at 12 mins

    Lauren Hemp

    England get their noses in front!

    It's been coming and Lauren Hemp is in the right place at the right time to smash it home after Millie Bright's header - following a corner - comes back off a post.

    Jubilant scenes in the stands as the sell-out crowd celebrates.

    Lauren HempImage source, getty
  16. Postpublished at 19:57 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 0-0 Belgium

    Anna Thompson
    BBC Sport at the King Power Stadium

    England started brightly but a great save from Mary Earps has prevented Belgium from taking the lead. The game is being played at a brilliant pace and the sell-out crowd are loving it.

  17. Earps does well to reactpublished at 19:57 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England 0-0 Belgium

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    Well, we know Justine Vanhaevermaet is a threat from set-pieces, not just because of her height, but the timing of her jumps.

    She did everything right there apart from put it to the side of Mary Earps.

    It's a great reaction stop from Earps though, and she gets a bit of luck with the bounce off the post.

    It's definitely dampened the noise in here a little. That was a massive, massive chance for Belgium.

  18. Postpublished at 11 mins

    England 0-0 Belgium

    That was class by Mary Earps. A top class save. That's why she is one of the best in the business.

  19. GREAT SAVE!published at 10 mins

    England 0-0 Belgium

    England 1-0 BelgiumImage source, Getty Images

    This is a cracking game already.

    Having spent the opening exchanges under pressure, Belgium win a corner which is only half cleared.

    It's whipped back in and Justine Vanhaevermaet gets her head to it forcing Mary Earps into a quality save.

  20. Postpublished at 7 mins

    England 0-0 Belgium

    Seven minutes on the clock. Four attempts - one on target. The only thing missing from this impressive England start is a goal.