Lionesses thrash Belgium in Nations League: Five things we learned from England 5-0 Belgium  | OneFootball

England netted five goals against Belgium at Ashton Gate, reclaiming top spot in their Nations League group.

A dominant first half saw Lucy Bronze head in a looping Lauren James cross after 21 minutes, followed by a rare Millie Bright goal on the stroke of half-time.

The second half saw substitutes Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Park have an instant impact adding another two to the scoreline, with Beever-Jones netting her first goal in an England shirt.

It was Chelsea’s January signing Keira Walsh who struck from long range to make it five in the 88th minute, scoring her first goal for the Lionesses after 83 international caps.

With the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 campaign commencing in three months time in Switzerland, Sarina Wiegman and her squad knew that these Nations League matches against tough opposition would be a chance to build momentum ahead of the summer.

Here’s five things we learned from the match…

Bronze shines Bright!

Two of England’s most experienced defenders, Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright, headed home in the first half, taking the side into the break with a two-goal lead.

On her 130th national team appearance, Bronze not only scored a goal, but led the team on the pitch with her constant drives with the ball and solid defence at the back.

It was her defensive partner Bright who was the unlikelier goalscorer, as she scored only her third for her country in her long, successful career for England which began in 2017, heading in at the back post after a flick on from Bronze.

Mead and Russo combine

Both Beth Mead and Alessia Russo have been at the top of their game at Arsenal, leading their club to the semi-finals of the Champions League last week.

Their linkup play down the right for England against Belgium was demonstrative of the dangerous attacks they can create for the national side due to their club chemistry.

The winger and striker appeared to always be two-steps ahead of the Belgian defence, creating a hatful of chances that were unfortunate not to lead to goals, with Russo hitting the post twice from passes set up by her club teammate.

The buzzing Bristol welcome

When Ashton Gate last hosted an England game in February 2023, it was this exact fixture, with the Lionesses beating the Belgian side by six goals to one that day and winning the Arnold Clark Cup.

With another sell out crowd of 23,202, from the Lansdown stand to the Dolman stand, the whole ground was in full voice throughout the game, spurring the team to victory in Bristol.

Hampton impresses in goal

Following an impressive clean sheet at Wembley against Spain in England’s last game, Hannah Hampton earned the chance to continue as Wiegman’s number one against Belgium, playing ahead of PSG’s Mary Earps.

Earps, who was an integral member of the 2022 Euros-winning side will know that competition is as tough as ever with Hampton putting in consecutive, brilliant performances.

Although the Chelsea goalkeeper wasn’t nearly as busy as she was against the reigning world champions, her calmness on the ball and distribution was certainly to be admired, putting her in good stead ahead of the Euros.

The Belgian Red Flames

Elisabet Gunnardottir’s side have not had a successful campaign so far in the Nations League in terms of results with three consecutive losses, although their defeats against Spain and Portugal were narrow, one-goal deficits.

The squad is full of experience and talent, including Everton midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet, but they will need to step up ahead of the Euros to show they can compete with their group of Spain, Portugal and Italy.