Reading’s Vanhaevermaet nets brace in Belgium’s victory over Kosovo | OneFootball

Reading midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet netted her first goals for Belgium in more than a year as they defeated Kosovo 7-0 in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier in Leuven this evening.

The 29-year-old, who was operating in central midfield, was on target twice in the first half at Den Dreef as Belgium collected their first win in qualifying after last month’s 1-1 draw with Poland.

It was Vanhaevermaet who opened the scoring for Belgium after just three minutes when she was found by Tessa Wullaert’s delivery into the box.

Janice Cayman made it 2-0 six minutes later before Wullaert soon got her name on the scoresheet as Belgium established a three-goal lead in a little over 15 minutes.

Ives Serneels’ side would go into the break 5-0 up. First, Tine de Caigny found the back of the net before Vanhaevermaet scored her second goal of the game nine minutes prior to the interval. An action packed first half also saw Kosovo’s Blerta Shala have a penalty saved.

Belgium were equally as dominant in the second half and they added two further goals through the ever-reliable Wullaert who went home with another match ball.

Tonight’s 7-0 win leaves Serneels’ side in third place in their group ahead of a huge game against Norway in Oslo on Tuesday.