Michelle Agyemang scored 41 seconds into her debut but England could not overcome an early deficit in their 3-2 Nations League loss to Belgium in Leuven.
Tessa Wullaert netted a fourth-minute opener for the hosts and picked up an assist for their second, scored by Everton’s Justine Vanhaevermaet.
After Wullaert netted again in the 29th minute, Beth Mead got England on the scoresheet with a penalty six minutes later and 19-year-old Agyemang brilliantly pulled another back for the Lionesses nine minutes from time.
But the result, combined with Spain’s 7-1 victory over Portugal, sees England drop to second spot in Group C, two points behind the World Cup holders.
Sarina Wiegman was forced into a number of changes due to injuries, and the absences of attackers Alessia Russo and Lauren James after Friday’s 5-0 victory over the same side were felt early on.
The England boss handed Nikita Parris her first start since 2022, while Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Park were also named in the starting XI.
Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton, who Wiegman told ITV before the contest was “a little bit ahead” of Mary Earps for the number one role, was between the posts for a third consecutive England encounter.
Wullaert fired Belgium in front after collecting a brilliant ball over the top from Jill Janssens, skirting in behind and opening the scoring with a composed finish off the inside of Hampton’s left post.
Wullaert then turned provider, floating in a free-kick that Vanhaevermaet, rising above the rest, looped over the leaping Hampton.
England had not really threatened by the halfway point in the period, when the Lionesses won a free-kick of their own but an alert Belgian intervention denied Millie Bright a shot.
The hosts showed no signs of slowing down and extended their lead when Davina Philtjens picked out the unmarked Wullaert, who obligingly finished from close range, then Hampton kept out an effort from Janssens.
England were given the chance to pull one back when Mead was brought down by Philtjens and the Arsenal winger stepped up to the spot, slotting home off the base of the post.
Wiegman made two changes at the break, bringing on Esme Morgan and Jess Carter in place of Bright and Niamh Charles.
There was some improvement in the Lionesses attack as Mead saw a shot blocked by the Belgian defence, Leah Williamson forced Lisa Lichtfus to tip an effort over the bar and Bronze nodded wide from a corner just before the hour.
On came more England substitutes, Ella Toone for Grace Clinton and Fran Kirby for Parris, the former firing wide not long after her introduction.
Agyemang was introduced with just over 10 minutes remaining and drew England closer less than a minute later, just after Park had watched her own effort catch the crossbar.
The Brighton forward – on loan from Arsenal – opened her senior international account after bringing down Williamson’s long ball with her thigh and powering a volley into the top corner.
Lichtfus punched away a late Bronze cross, Toone fired wide, and the Belgium keeper picked off a late corner to preserve the win.
A jubilant Mikel Arteta said the momentum is with Arsenal to win the Champions League following their historic victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.Bukayo Saka, who missed a first-half penalty, opened the scoring midway through the second period before Vinicius Junior responded just two minutes later only for Gabriel Martinelli to crown a famous 2-1 win on the night, and a crushing 5-1 aggr...
Stand-in Newcastle boss Jason Tindall has told Eddie Howe to concentrate on getting better after guiding the club into third place in the Premier League.Number two Tindall was placed in temporary charge at St James’ Park at the weekend with Howe being treated in hospital for pneumonia, and on Wednesday he added a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace to Sunday’s 4-1 win against Manchester Un...
Arsenal secured their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years after a historic 2-1 win against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.Bukayo Saka, who missed a first-half penalty, fired Arsenal into a 4-0 aggregate lead after 64 minutes, only for the holders to respond immediately when Vinicius Junior nicked the ball off William Saliba before he fired home.Vinicius’ goal provided Real Madrid with...
Newcastle turned on the style in the absence of head coach Eddie Howe to rout Crystal Palace and ease themselves into third place in the Premier League table.The Magpies swept the Eagles aside in a game which had promised to be much more taxing as efforts from Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Fabian Schar and Alexander Isak either side of Marc Guehi’s own goal and Nick Pope’s penalty save ...
The Portugal attacker left Benfica for Atletico Madrid in 2019 and now is wanted back for their Club World Cup (CWC) campaign, says Record. The CWC will be held over the summer in the USA.Felix is currently on-loan at AC Milan from Chelsea, though hasn't done enough to convince the Rossonero to sign him permanently.Instead, Milan will send Felix back to London at the end of the season. Though his ...
The Ecuador international has been a key player for the Blues since his big-money move from Brighton, and it would be a blow to lose him.Still, it seems that Saudi giants Al Nassr may be looking into signing Caicedo, who would likely cost £100m or more, according to the Telegraph.Caicedo is a world class talent who will surely want to continue to play at the highest level for many more years ...
The teenage winger has been one of the few success stories in Saints' relegation campaign this season and is set to be sold in the summer.Tottenham and Manchester United have been credited with interest in Dibling, who Saints rate in the £100m range.However, a move abroad could also be on, with Sky Deutschland reporting Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are both serious suitors.In Germany, it's cl...
But even taking away this, left wing has been a bit of a problem position for Liverpool this season. Diaz has blown hot and cold throughout the campaign, and no one else has managed to make the position their own. But should it become vacant in the summer, that could change.Reports in recent moves have listed Borussia Dortmund's English star Jamie Gittens as a player on Liverpool's radar, and thes...
Mbeumo and Wissa have grabbed the attention of several top European sides who have been impressed with their prolific form this season. The pair have scored 31 between them this season which compared to Brentford's 52 goals scored overall, is a very impressive statistic. Nottingham Forest had an exploratory bid of £22M for Wissa knocked back in January as the Bees kept on to their top striker...
Carlo Ancelotti's side are going through a disappointing season having lost against Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinal.The Spanish giants are also struggling in the La Liga title race with Barcelona currently the outstanding favourites to win the league.Ancelotti's side are now focusing on their summer transfer window as they aim to strengthen their squad after their poor season.Real Mad...
- 1 Ruben Amorim ‘really confident’ in Man U keeper Andre Onana despite Lyon errors
- 2 Mark Robins wants win at Cardiff to galvanise Stoke for Championship run-in
- 3 PL side eyeing summer move for Rashford
- 4 Ian Holloway salutes Swindon supporters after dramatic victory over Bradford
- 5 Miron Muslic hailed Plymouth’s spirit after comeback victory
- 6 Enzo Maresca: It’s up to Chelsea fans to decide if they want to back team
- 7 Late Ianis Hagi equaliser for Rangers denies Celtic early title party
- 8 Brendan Rodgers frustrated five-star win over Kilmarnock was not a title party
- 9 Chelsea to scout 24-year-old star today
- 10 Newcastle continue to impress in absence of Eddie Howe with Crystal Palace rout