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Second half goals take England to win

England 3 (Kelly 62, Daly 66, Evrard og 83)

Belgium 0

att: 9,598; at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

England began their trio of Euro 2022 warm up matches with a victory as three second half goals saw off Belgium at Molineux.

As now seems customary under Sabrina Wiegman, England started the game briskly and Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard was called into action, making saves from Ellen White and Lauren Hemp.

Georgia Stanway shot wide following good work by Hemp, before Belgium hit back with their first real opportunity so far, Feli Delacauw drilling wide from the  edge of the area.

Evrard needed to make a scrambling save from a chip by Leah Williamson, the England captain having been set up by a clever back heel from Beth Mead, as the home side finished the first half on top but with the scoreline goalless at the interval.

Stanway went close on two occasions as the start of the second half but England’s pressure was to tell just after the hour mark as they took the lead, with more than a slice of fortune.

Chloe Kelly, on as a second half substitute, showed good pace to bear down upon goal and her shot took a huge deflection off the unfortunate Amber Tysiak and past a wrong footed Evrard for the opening goal. It was the Manchester City striker’s first goal for England at senior level and brought a happy end to a frustrating season, most of which had been spent on the sidelines with a knee injury.  

A second substitute struck a second blow just four minutes later. Belgium were unable to fully clear an England corner and Rachel Daly pounced on the loose ball and drilled home.

England had rarely been troubled at the other end and they were to crown the night with seven minutes remaining. Williamson had looked a threat when making runs into the area throughout the match and it brought its reward although her initial shot crashed off the underside of the bar, before cannoning back into the net off the unlucky Evrard.

England now move on to next Friday’s friendly against reigning European Champions the Netherlands, formerly managed by Wiegman, before their final warm up game away to Switzerland the following Thursday.

England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Demi Stokes (sub Rachel Daly 45mins), Keira Walsh, Millie Bright, Lotte Wubben-Moy (sub Alex Greenwood 45mins), Beth Mead (cub Chloe Kelly 45mins), Leah Williamson, Ellen White (sub Beth England 61mins), Georgia Stanway (sub Fran Kirby 61mins), Lauren Hemp (Nikita Parris 81mins). Subs not used: Hannah Hampton, Ella Toone, Jill Scott, Ellie Roebuck, Alessia Russo.

Belgium: Nicky Evrard, Davina Philtjens (sub Kassandra Missipo 61mins), Laura Deloose, Sari Kees (sub Charlotte Tison 45mins), Sarah Wijnants (sub Jody Vangheluwe 73mins), Tine De Caigny, Feli Delacauw (Elena Dhont 61mins), Laura De Neve (sub Amber Tysiak 45mins), Tessa Wullaert, Marie Minnaert, Julie Biesmans (sub Davinia Vanmechelen 73mins). Subs not used: Lenie Onzia, Diede Lemey, Hannah Eurlings, Ella Van Kerkhoven, Jill Janssens, Lisa Lichtfus.