England moved to the top of their Nations League group with a commanding win over Belgium in Bristol, proving their ability to deliver against both top-tier and lower-ranked opposition. Sarina Wiegman’s side had previously demonstrated their quality with a stunning 1-0 victory over Spain two months ago, and here they showed that same fluidity against a team ranked 16 places below them.
Wiegman praised the team for playing with simplicity at times, noting that their style of play was developing. She acknowledged that while the team had made progress in previous months, this performance marked a clear step forward in adapting to different opponents. England’s performance was a mix of both determination and calculated play, with the win giving them a one-point lead over Spain at the top of Group A3.
The atmosphere at Ashton Gate was electric, with a sold-out crowd providing a raucous backdrop for the European champions. Fans outside the stadium were eager to get close to their idols, waving scarves and painting their faces in support. The energy inside the stadium mirrored that enthusiasm, and the players responded with a dynamic display. The combination of Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead down the right wing was particularly dangerous, while Keira Walsh’s deliveries into Mead resembled the partnership that had been so effective during Euro 2022. Lauren James was also a constant threat, creating opportunities and causing problems for the Belgium defense.
England took control early, with Alessia Russo testing the Belgium goalkeeper inside the first two minutes. The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when James whipped in a precise ball for Bronze, whose header was deflected into the net by Belgium’s Amber Tysiak, leaving goalkeeper Nicky Evrard with no chance. The goal was a testament to Bronze’s consistency, as she rolled back the years with a performance full of energy and leadership.
Just before halftime, England doubled their lead. Bronze again played a key role, this time providing the assist for Millie Bright, who bundled the ball over the line from a corner. The crowd was in full voice, with fans engaging in Mexican waves and lighting up the stadium with phone torches as night began to fall.
In the second half, England’s dominance continued, though they eased off a little with a comfortable two-goal cushion. Belgium had a brief spell of counterattacking pressure, with Féli Delacauw forcing a deflection onto the roof of the net and Jill Janssens sending a dangerous cross that just missed its intended target. However, England’s third goal came soon after, with Mead and Walsh combining again to set up substitute Aggie Beever-Jones, who slotted the ball into the net to extend the lead.
England came close to a fourth shortly after, with Walsh’s shot rattling off the post. However, it was fellow substitute Jess Park who added a fourth, taking advantage of a loose ball and coolly finishing past Evrard. In the 88th minute, Walsh scored her first goal for England in 83 appearances, her effort taking a slight deflection off Justine Vanhaevermaet to seal a resounding 5-0 victory.
The result was England’s largest winning margin since February 2024 and a strong statement of intent as they continue their preparations for the upcoming summer’s title defense. The win not only moved them to the top of their group but also demonstrated that their team is hitting form at just the right time.
