England moved to the top of their Nations League group with a commanding 5-0 win over Belgium in Bristol.
Sarina Wiegman’s side had shown they could turn up and beat the best, their stunning performance in a 1-0 win over Spain two months ago demonstrating a fluency that had been lacking. At Ashton Gate they had the chance to prove they could deliver against lower ranked opposition and they did so in style.
Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh were rampant as goals from both bookending those from Millie Bright and the substitutes Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Park to condemn the team ranked 16 places below them.
The win, England’s second from their opening three Nations League games, ensured they sit a point above Spain at the top of group A3, who earned a 3-2 win over Portugal in the earlier fixture.
Wiegman made just one change to the team which earned a thrilling victory over World Cup holders Spain at Wembley in February, with Beth Mead starting ahead of Park in, arguably England’s strongest XI of the players available. Meanwhile, it was announced before kick-off that Chloe Kelly had returned to Arsenal with a foot injury and would miss the double-header against Belgium.
For the visiting team, there were three changes to the team that lost to Portugal in their last Nations League game. Most notably was the absence of former Manchester City forward Tessa Wullaert, who was not included in the squad at all.
Ashton Gate was heaving and alive for the visit of the European champions as they continue their preparations for their title defence in the summer. If ever there was an advert for why England – men and women – should venture from beneath the Wembley arch from time to time, this was it, fans shoulder to shoulder outside the ground, faces being painted, scarves being bought, signs clutched in hands, eager to see their idols up close. The sold-out crowd made the stadium hum and the players matched their energy, the combination of Bronze and Beth Mead on the right electric, Walsh’s balls in to the Arsenal forward reminiscent of Euro 2022 and Lauren James a constant threat.
It took 21 minutes for Wiegman’s side to ripple the goal’s netting but it had been coming, Alessia Russo having tested the strength of the upright within two minutes of kick- off as the home team dominated. James was the instigator, whipping a pinpoint ball to the head of Chelsea teammate Bronze who flicked it goalwards, a kind deflection off Amber Tysiak lifting it over goalkeeper Nicky Evrard and in. It was a well deserved goal for the right back who, at 33, continues to demonstrate why she is one of the first names on the teamsheet, her energy levels and drive unmatched.
Mead was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet in the first half, the post and Evrard denying her in succession. England doubled their lead with the final touch of the half though and Bronze, again, was key, heading on a corner where Bright was on hand to bundle in.
The crowd were lapping it up, Mexican waves sweeping from stand to stand as early as 25 minutes in and phone lights out as soon as the sun faded for impromptu light shows. There was a somewhat worrying change at half-time, with James replaced by Beever-Jones, and no information on whether it was precautionary, a tweak or a question of managing her load.
after newsletter promotion
Quick Guide
Sheva kickstarts Republic to win in Greece
Show
The Republic of Ireland were emphatic winners in the first of a double header against Greece in the Women’s Nations League.
Looking for their second victory of the campaign after beating Turkey and losing to Slovenia, the Republic ran out 4-0 winners in Crete, with all the goals coming in the second half.
The Republic manager, Carla Ward, made a double change at the break, bringing on Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva for Megan Campbell and Tyler Toland, and the effect was immediate.
Sheva put Ireland ahead with 48 minutes on the clock, her shot taking two deflections on its way into the net, and 13 minutes later it was 2-0 as Kyra Carusa converted a rebound after Leanne Kiernan’s shot was saved.
The third arrived with 16 minutes remaining, Jessie Stapleton heading in McCabe’s corner. Another substitute, Amber Barrett, made her mark in stoppage time, celebrating her 50th cap in style with the fourth. The Republic will now try to engineer a repeat in the reverse fixture on Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.
Northern Ireland were denied back-to-back victories after Romania hit back to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Group B1.
Looking to build on their dramatic 3-2 win over Bosnia in February, Northern Ireland drew first blood in Bucharest when Danielle Maxwell struck in the 33rd minute.
However, a defensive mix-up allowed Romania to level shortly afterwards through Mihaela Ciolacu as the home side secured their first points of the campaign.
The draw sees Northern Ireland remain second in the group behind Poland as they prepare to face the Romanians again in Belfast on Tuesday.
England maintained their dominance in the second half but with a two-goal cushion the sting was taken out of the game a little, Wiegman’s charges were more calculated. They weathered the briefest of counter-attacking spells from Belgium, with substitute Feli Delacauw’s effort deflected onto the roof of the net and a dangerous cross from Jill Janssens missed by everyone, and added the third to kill the game moments later in retaliation.
Mead and Walsh combined again and this time Beever–Jones was the recipient, slipping the ball into the back of the net.
England were soon close to a fourth soon after, Walsh’s effort coming back off the post. Her fellow substitute Park did extend their lead 10 minutes later, latching on to the ball after Janice Cayman let it bounce before flying towards the box and slotting effortlessly past Evrard. Finally, in the 83rd minute, Walsh had her goal, her first in 83 appearances for England, her effort taking a small deflection off Justine Vanhaevermaet as it headed into the net.
At full time the crowd delighted in the show that had been put on for them. This was England’s biggest winning margin since February 2024, a statement of intent from the European champions and a sign that things might be clicking into place at exactly the right time.