Bronze and Bright lead England past Belgium to go top of Women’s Nations League group

England moved to the top of their Nations League group with a commanding 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. Here they had the chance to prove they could deliver against lower ranked opposition and they did so in style.

“At moments we made football look a little bit simple, I really liked that,” said Wiegman. “We’re developing. I also thought we were developing in October and November, but we took risks. We’re getting closer to how we want to play against different opponents. We know a lot can change quickly, but I’m just very happy with the win and how we showed up.”

Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh were rampant as goals from both bookended 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 secured a 3-2 win over Portugal in the earlier fixture.

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.

View image in fullscreen Aggie Beever-Jones celebrates after scoring England’s third goal. Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/REX/Shutterstock

It took 21 minutes for Wiegman’s side to find the net 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.

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 torches 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. “She had a small tweak on her leg so we didn’t take any risks and took her out straight away,” said the manager. “I don’t know how it is right now. I think it was her hamstring.”

skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Moving the Goalposts Free weekly newsletter No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women’s football Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion

Quick Guide Roundup: Germany pile on pain for Scotland Show Scotland's struggles continued in their Group A1 campaign with a 4-0 home defeat to Germany. Michael McArdle's side got off to a nightmare start in Dundee when Germany's Elisa Senss scored inside the first minute to set the tone for a one-sided affair. After Sophie Howard's own goal put the visitors 2-0 up at the break, Cora Zicai and Lea Schüller scored within three minutes of each other just before the hour to seal Germany's victory and leave Scotland rooted to the foot of the table. 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 Ireland 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. 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 Romania again in Belfast on Tuesday. Wales fell to a 2-1 defeat against Denmark in Cardiff as injury to goalscorer Ceri Holland offered real concern ahead of this summer's European Championship. Denmark, ranked 12th in the world and 19 places above Wales, led through Signe Bruun's early strike after seven minutes but were pegged back before half-time by Holland. Wales had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead as Hannah Cain bore down on goal in the 70th minute, only for goalkeeper Maja Bay Østergaard to win the one-on-one duel. Denmark worked the same opening within 30 seconds and substitute Amelie Vangsgaard, who had squandered a clear-cut opening minutes earlier, slotted home past Olivia Clark in the Wales goal. Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback.

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 counterattacking spells from Belgium, who were without influential forward Tessa Wullaert, with substitute Féli 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 88th 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.

“I was very happy for her because we want her to shoot more,” said Wiegman. “She has a very good shot and we want her to get higher up the pitch, which she did today. Now, we are joking it’s an own goal, but it’s her goal so I’m very happy for her.”

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 things might be clicking into place at exactly the right time.

Click here to read article