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. 'You want to see in-form players called up'published at 19:17 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Ian Wright
    Former England striker on ITV4

    Khiara Keating surveys the scene at the King Power.Image source, Getty Images

    Khiara Keating deserves her chance.

    You want to see players that are consistent form-wise get that call up and be given their chance.

    Hopefully now she will learn and grow from the experience of being here with the squad and around the set-up.

  2. 'Players need to get used to expectations'published at 19:15 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

    Hemp and Toone stand with the ball at the centre circle as Netherlands celebrate in the background.Image source, Getty Images

    Expectations are something that Sarina Wiegman will have to talk to her players about and get them used to.

    When people look at the England women's national team now they do so very differently than two or three years ago. That all comes with climbing the ladder of success.

    Sarina Wiegman is the best coach in the world, she is calm and thoughtful and will know how best to manage her players through it. She is the leader in that ever-changing environment, both personnel and expectations-wise.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    I think the Lionesses will win 2-1 tonight.

    Jamie in Marlow

  4. Respects paid to Vichaipublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    It is five years since the helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium which killed five people, including Leicester City club chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

    He was a much-loved chairman, who helped strengthen the bond between the city and the club, as well as driving Leicester City to success and towards their famous Premier League triumph.

    A statue of ‘Khun’ Vichai was built outside the stadium and representatives from the Lionesses and Belgium paid their respects earlier today by laying flowers in front of it.

    The players will also wear black armbands tonight in tribute to England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away this week.

    .Image source, BBC Sport
  5. 'Now is the time for England to find their rhythm'published at 19:08 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Ian Wright
    Former England striker on ITV4

    Wiegman stares off into the distance.Image source, Getty Images

    Coming back off the World Cup and having to play again before the season even began, I thought it was a strange time to play those first two games.

    We got the win in the first one, and then the second would have been OK to draw, but a bit of quality for the Netherlands won it in the last minute.

    Now England will want to start to get into a rhythm, a good flow with this game tonight.

  6. 'You feel the energy'published at 19:06 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    This is the first time the Lionesses have played at the King Power Stadium. They did play one game at Leicester's old ground Filbert Street in 1980, drawing 1-1 with Sweden in a friendly.

    After playing their previous home game in Sunderland against Scotland, manager Sarina Wiegman says it is important to take the team around the country and allow as many fans as possible to experience seeing their idols.

    "It gives the opportunity for people across the country to come and watch us live, [because] when you come and watch live you have an experience, you feel the energy," Wiegman said.

    "It's very exciting for us too because now again we are playing in a sold-out stadium, which is really incredible.

    "We just hope we play a good game, fans have a great evening and go home satisfied with the performance we had."

  7. 'England have missed Kirby's creativity'published at 19:03 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

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

    It is great to see Fran Kirby back in the squad.

    First and foremost the girls will have missed her personality and her presence.

    But on the pitch the creativity she brings to the team is unbelievable, especially against a team like Belgium.

    She has the quality to really break apart that low block that we are expecting, and bringing others into the team. She is very good 1 v 1 in front of goal, a great finisher.

    We have really missed that creativity in her absence.

    Fran Kirby arrives at the King Power Stadium.Image source, Getty Images
  8. Listen on 5 Sports Extrapublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    You can listen to the whole match on Radio 5 Sports Extra.

    Commentator Vicki Sparks will be joined by former England keeper Karen Bardsley to guide you through all the action.

    Build-up starts at 19:35 BST.

  9. Earps shirts on showpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    Mary Earps has been a fan-favourite for a while now and her calls for her goalkeeper shirt to be put on sale were heavily supported.

    Nike eventually answered her request with limited quantities made available and they sold out immediately.

    I spotted a few of the shirts while walking around the stadium and there was the added addition of a Mary Earps scarf, alongside some with Lucy Bronze's face on.

    Earps says more shirts are set to be put on sale at the end of the year so there could be some very happy people on Christmas day!

    .Image source, Getty Images
  10. 'After games our first thought is, how can I recover best? 'published at 18:54 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Missy Bo Kearns
    Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Bronze walks over to waiting fans at full time.Image source, Getty Images

    I'm not saying that the situation needs to change right now but I can see where Mary Earps is coming from.

    After games our first thought is, how can I recover best? Sometimes we have multiple games a week, a Sunday followed by a midweek game.

    There have been times where I have been outside with fans for a very long time, and of course it is a proud moment and I love spending time interacting with fans, but you have to still recover as best you can.

    It just where women's football is now. You don't see men's players going over to the crowds and signing autographs every week, and that is where some of the top players in our game are at now.

  11. 'It's impossible to please everyone'published at 18:51 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

    Mary Earps greets fans at St George's Park.Image source, Getty Images

    It is impossible for the players to please everybody with regards to signing autographs and posing for photos.

    The game has changed massively in the last few years. There are more eyes on the game, more people physically attending games, more people tuning into TV and radio coverage.

    With social media, there is more ammunition for people to shout their views and more people are going to speak on these issues.

    You look at the game tonight, it is sold out. Five years ago the Lionesses were playing in front of 10,000 people. Every time they play at Wembley now they sell it out. You simply can't please everyone.

  12. Earps finding it 'really difficult' to keep fans happypublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Earps signs a shirt for a young fan after a training session day.Image source, Getty Images

    England goalkeeper Mary Earps says it has become "really difficult" to keep fans happy after she received criticism for not signing an autograph.

    Earps said a parent's claim she snubbed their child after Manchester United's win at Everton on Sunday was "hurtful".

    "We love [meeting fans] but it's becoming really difficult to maintain," Earps said.

    "The accessibility that people get to us as players is something that I think is a hot topic of discussion. It's something that we as players are experiencing in a very different way with the profile of the game changing.

    "At times it's becoming really difficult to keep everybody happy and to interact with as many people as possible.

    "We're obviously so grateful that thousands and thousands of people want to meet us and come and talk to us, but the reality of it is, if that's the expectation, we're always going to fall short."

    Read more here.

  13. Charles coming into a back four?published at 18:45 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    Sarina Wiegman has switched formations recently, opting for a back three on occasions, rather than the back four they used throughout their successful Euro 2022 campaign.

    The injury to captain Leah Williamson will no doubt have had an impact, as well as the fact England have two attacking wing-backs in Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly.

    It looks like she has gone back to a back four today with Niamh Charles coming in at left-back. We'll know when they kick-off.

    It's been five matches since England last kept a clean sheet so their defensive set-up is definitely under a little bit of pressure.

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    .Image source, PA Media

    As ever you can let us know your thoughts and feelings on this evening's match by getting in touch directly.

    Simply write in via #BBCFootball on 'X' or text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826, and make sure to leave your name with on your message.

  15. Team news - Walsh returns for Englandpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at King Power Stadium

    Sarina Wiegman makes three changes to the England side who lost to the Netherlands last month.

    Midfielder Keira Walsh returns, while Manchester City's Chloe Kelly and Chelsea's in-form defender Niamh Charles start.

    Katie Zelem, Jess Carter and Rachel Daly drop to the bench.

    Lauren James is unavailable and has returned to Chelsea under concussion protocols, while Villa's Lucy Parker has an ankle injury.

    England XI: Earps, Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Charles, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Hemp, Russo, Kelly.

    Substitutes: Morgan, Hampton, Kirby, Carter, Zelem, Wubben-Moy, Clinton, Daly, Le Tissier, Roebuck, Park, Keating.

    There are two changes to the Belgium side who drew with Scotland in their last match.

    Leicester City's Janice Cayman starts, alongside goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, who is on loan at Brighton from Chelsea.

    Everton's Justine Vanhaevermaet also starts, while Liverpool's Yana Daniels is on the bench.

    Sari Kees is not in the squad due to injury and Jassina Blom drops to the bench.

    Belgium XI: Evrard, De Neve, De Caigny, Cayman, Deloose, Vangheluwe, Vanhaevermaet, Missipo, Delacauw, Wullaert, Detruyer.

    Substitutes: Lemey, Lichtfus, Blom, Brackman, Daniels, Fon, Iliano, Janssens, Littel, Philtjens, Van Belle, Wijnants.

  16. Sell-out for the Lionessespublished at 18:36 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    This is the hottest ticket in town.

    The Lionesses are rock stars and the King Power Stadium - which has a 32,262 capacity - is a sell-out, with the last remaining ticket sold three weeks ago.

  17. Work to dopublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    .Image source, .

    It has not been the easiest time for Sarina Wiegman's England since their World Cup final defeat by Spain.

    They opened their Nations League campaign in late September with a narrow and unconvincing 2-1 win over neighbours Scotland at the Stadium of Light, before losing by the same score away to the Netherlands, who were beaten by Belgium in their first game.

    Wiegman has been chosen to lead Great Britain at the 2024 Olympics, should they qualify.

    England, who were nominated as the representative for Team GB, need to top the group to stay in contention for a place at next year's Paris Games.

    A convincing win over Belgium will do them a power of good.

  18. Back to winning ways?published at 18:29 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    England v Belgium (19:45 BST)

    .Image source, PA Media

    Olympic qualification hangs in the balance.

    England's Lionesses are trying to secure a place at Paris 2024 on behalf of Great Britain, as they take on Belgium twice over the next week - starting tonight at the King Power Stadium.

    But Sarina Wiegman's side have not had things their own way since returning from the World Cup.

    Will they get back to winning ways in Leicester?