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

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.

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.”

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.

Header image: [Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA]