Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.21 2022-23

Sarina Wiegmann reverted to a near first choice line up and they carried the game to
Belgium from the start. It took twelve minutes for them to go in front, Lauren James
making a weaving run into the area and her cross was not dealt with by the Belgian
defence and Chloe Kelly bundled in from close range.
Millie Bright missed a good opportunity to make it two when she sent a free header
over the bar from a corner and James fired just wide as England sought a quick second.
England were threatening to overwhelm the Belgians with just the finishing lacking but
they were to double their lead just before the break, Lucy Bronze taking possession after
a corner and weaving her way to the goal line and her left foot cross was headed in at the
far post by Leah Williamson.
England started the second half with all guns blazing, with Keira Walsh controlling
the midfield and Georgia Stanway breaking forward. Ella Toone forced a good save from
Nicky Evrard but moments later, the Belgian keeper was culpable for the third as she
fumbled an angled shot by Toone and Kelly followed up to tuck home her second from the
rebound.
Kelly almost got her second when cutting in from the right and firing just over. Alessia
Russo sent a glancing header inches wide from a Bronze cross and Toone rattled the bar
with an angled strike, with Evrard needing to save a Lauren Hemp shot from the rebound.
Still England did not let up the pace and after intercepting a loose pass out of defence,
Stanway’s deflected shot brought out a good scrambling save by Evrard. Stanway was
involved though as the fourth goal finally arrived, her cut back from the goal line being
poked at full stretch into her own net by the unfortunate Julie Biesmans.
A free kick on the right, near the corner flag, led to goal number five. Stanway floated
the ball across goal and the ball bounced kindly off substitute Rachel Daly and into the
path of the oncoming Bronze who made no mistake from point blank range.
Belgium had showed precious little as an attacking force and it was hard not to feel
sympathy for star striker Tessa Wullaert who received virtually no service. However as the
game went into injury time, they conjured up a stunning strike and the goal of the game.
Elena Dhont did well to work herself space on the edge of the area before unleashing a
superb left foot strike into the far top corner, giving Mary Earps no chance.
England were to have the final say though as Daly’s shot was blocked and the ball ran
into the path of Williamson who coolly slotted into the corner from 20 yards. It was a
fitting end to a stunning performance by England as there was no time left to restart play,
leaving Williamson to collect her third trophy in 12 months as captain, whilst Lauren
James was the recipient of the Player of the Tournament award.
England therefore won the tournament with maximum points from their three
matches and 12 goals scored overall, with Belgium finishing second. Italy took third place
in the table after they beat South Korea 2-1 earlier in the day.
England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood (sub Jess Carter 63mins), Keira
Walsh (sub Lotte Wubben-Moy 81mins), Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly,
Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo (sub Rachel Daly 72mins), Ella Toone (sub Jess Park
81mins), Lauren James (sub Lauren Hemp 45mins). Subs not used: Ellie Roebuck,
Ebony Salmon, Katie Zelem, Niamh Charles, Katie Robinson, Sandy MacIver, Maya Le
Tissier, Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs.
Belgium: Nicky Evrard, Jody Vangheluwe (sub Laura Deloose 63mins), Julie
Biesmans (sub Fran Meersman 85mins), Tine De Caigny, Janice Cayman, Jill Janssens
(sub Valesca Ampoorter 63mins), Kassandra Missipo (sub Hannah Eurlings 85mins),
Justine Vanhaevermaet, Sarah Wijnants, Marie Detruyer (sub Elena Dhont 62mins),
Tessa Wullaert (sub Welma Fon 89mins). Subs not used: Davina Phitjens, Ella Van
Kerkhoven, Michelle Colson, Diede Lemey, Femke Bastiaen.
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