England cruise to win against Belgium

European champions England will go into this summer’s World Cup full of confidence after lifting the Arnold Clark Cup.

The Lionesses began their defence of the trophy with wins against Korea Republic and Italy. All that was needed in Coventry was for Sarina Wiegman’s team to avoid defeat against Belgium.

It never looked like England would slip up after a dominant performance. Wiegman fielded a strong starting XI that could hint towards what team is likely to play in Australia/New Zealand.

It took just 12 minutes for England to open the scoring. This goal was created by Lauren James, who has a superb tournament. The Chelsea winger weaved into the Belgium box and squared the ball across the face of goal with Chloe Kelly able to get the best of a scramble to poke the ball home.

There was controversy for England’s second with Alessia Russo looking to have handled the ball in the build-up before Leah Williamson rose highest to head home just before half-time.

Kelly got her second and England’s third of the night five minutes after the break with another close-range effort after Nicky Evrard’s save stopped Ella Toone’s shot.

Julie Biesmans was unlucky to concede an own goal when she got a touch to Georgia Stanway’s cross that made it 4-0 to England. 

As if that wasn’t enough there was a late flurry of three goals with the score eventually finishing 6-1. Lucy Bronze and another for Leah Williams rounded out the scoring for the home team but Elena Dhont’s consolation goal was the most spectacular goal of the game. The Twente player hammered a shot into the top left corner from the edge of the box.

That goal was the only blemish over a routine and very professional performance from the Lionesses with the World Cup 148 days away.

Stop scrolling and watch this absolute WORLDIE from Belgium's Elena Dhont 🇧🇪🚀 pic.twitter.com/ckn5M1SupI

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 22, 2023