Chloe Kelly continues remarkable injury comeback in England win vs Belgium | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly continued her remarkable comeback from the ACL injury she suffered just over a year ago as she played a starring role from the bench in England's 3-0 victory over Belgium.

Kelly had spent 11 months on the sideline after rupturing her ACL in May 2021, missing out on the Tokyo Olympics and leaving her Euro 2022 place in doubt.

The Lionesses eventually ran out comfortable winners over Belgium at Molineux in their first pre-Euro 2022 friendly, but it took until the 62nd minute for the deadlock to finally be broken following an inspired performance from Nicky Evrard in the Belgium goal.

Kelly was instrumental in creating England's crucial opener, having been introduced from the bench at half time for her first appearance under Sarina Wiegman.

The Manchester City winger jinked inside Laura Deloose, before her goal-bound strike deflected in off the outstretched leg of Amber Tysiak.

"It's brilliant - enjoying every minute," Kelly said. "To be back with the girls, back in the squad, I'm loving every minute. Looking back at the past year it's been a journey but to come this far is so great."

"I was nearly crying," Kelly added when asked her response to being named in England's Euro 2022 squad on Wednesday.

"So much emotion - I just FaceTimed my family. I know how much it means to them just as much as it means to be because they've been through this past 12 months with me every step of the way."

Kelly had been in the form of her life before her 2020/21 season was curtailed through injury. However, she hit the ground running following her return to club football in April, finishing the season with a goal and three assists in five WSL appearances for Manchester City, and her displays were enough to earn her a spot in England's 23-player Euro 2022 squad.

"I think she adapted really quick, she's enjoying it," said Wiegman. "She hasn't been with the team before so we had to share some information, what we did, what we expect from her, and I think she's done well.

"At Man City she had already started to play of course which was good, she built up playing minutes there, and from the start here we continue building her up too, and she's done well. And the competition in the team is just really nice."