England’s recent victory against Belgium has sparked a wave of optimism among fans and players alike. Riding a 5-0 triumph at Ashton Gate, the Lionesses demonstrated why they’re considered serious contenders for Euro 2025. Head coach Sarina Wiegman’s post-match comments, “We are getting closer,” reflect the growing momentum and confidence within the squad as they build toward tournament glory.
England’s commanding performance signals rising form
The Lionesses delivered a masterclass in attacking football against Belgium, showcasing their tactical superiority from the opening whistle. Despite facing a Belgium side weakened by injuries, England dominated possession and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match. This comprehensive victory follows their impressive 1-0 win over world champions Spain in February, further cementing their position at the top of Group A3 in the Women’s Nations League.
Defenders Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright established England’s dominance with first-half goals, demonstrating the team’s threat from all positions. The scoring continued with substitutes Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Park finding the net before Keira Walsh capped off the performance with her first senior international goal – a remarkable achievement coming on her 83rd appearance.
Wiegman expressed satisfaction with her team’s execution: “The things we wanted to do for most of the game we did. The subs came in and brought new energy. We got the dynamics in possession and what I really liked was that we kept it simple and together.” This cohesive team performance mirrors the success England enjoyed in their dominant 3-0 win over Greece that secured their Nations League top spot.
The match statistics highlight England’s superiority:
| Statistic | England | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 5 | 0 |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 2 |
| Corners | 7 | 1 |
Building momentum at the perfect time
With just three months remaining before their Euro 2025 opener against France on July 5th, the Lionesses appear to be finding form at the ideal moment. Wiegman acknowledged this timing but maintained a measured approach: “We know where we’re at and what we want to improve and we’re working on it every day. We need to keep having these connections because I do feel something is happening and we are getting closer.”
This victory represents more than just three points – it demonstrates England’s growing confidence and tactical cohesion. The European champions have now secured back-to-back clean sheets while showing impressive attacking flair. Midfielder Keira Walsh described the performance as “free-flowing” and ranked it among her favorite matches with the national team.
The signs of England’s mounting momentum include:
- Tactical flexibility against different opponents
- Substitutes making immediate impact upon entering matches
- Defensive solidity with consecutive clean sheets
- Goals coming from multiple positions across the team
- Rising confidence throughout the squad
While Wiegman has repeatedly cautioned that “it’s only April,” there’s an undeniable sense that England is trending upward at precisely the right time. The coach noted, “We’re developing. I also thought we were developing in October and November, but we had results we didn’t really like. We’re getting closer to how we want to play against different opponents.”
Fresh faces making their mark
The Belgium match highlighted England’s impressive squad depth, with several emerging players seizing their opportunities. The performances of substitutes proved particularly encouraging, as they maintained the team’s intensity and added to the scoreline after entering the match.
Twenty-one-year-old Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones scored her maiden England goal on just her fourth appearance. Having received her first call-up in May last year, Beever-Jones expressed her disbelief at the achievement: “I actually can’t quite believe it. It hasn’t hit me just yet. I think I was more buzzing for Keira [Walsh] if I’m honest.”
Her humility shone through as she added, “I pride myself on keeping my feet on the ground and working hard and with a lot of hard work you get moments like this. I’m so happy that I took it well. It is so surreal and a dream come true.”
Experienced midfielder Keira Walsh’s long-awaited first international goal added another layer of celebration to the evening. After 83 appearances without finding the net, Walsh finally broke her scoring drought, even if her strike required a friendly deflection. “I’m really excited. It took a big deflection – but a goal is a goal,” Walsh said afterward, acknowledging the good-natured ribbing from teammates about how long it had taken.
The road ahead for the Three Lions
While England’s current form is promising, the real test awaits at Euro 2025. Wiegman remains pragmatic about the journey ahead, noting that “a lot can change quickly” in international football. The opening fixture against France will provide an immediate challenge, testing whether this building momentum can translate into tournament success.
England fans have reason for optimism given the team’s current trajectory. The combination of established stars and emerging talent suggests the Lionesses have the depth and quality necessary to compete at the highest level. If they can maintain their current form and cohesion, Wiegman’s assessment that “we are getting closer” may prove prophetic.
For now, England will focus on continuing their development while embracing the growing belief within the squad. The Belgium victory offered a glimpse of what this team can achieve when firing on all cylinders – a tantalizing preview of what might await at Euro 2025.
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