By Catherine MacKenzie (07/04/2025)

Above: Lionesses train in Leuven, Belgium. Photo: Catherine MacKenzie for Impetus

On a beautifully sunny afternoon in Leuven, Belgium, England’s Lionesses trained ahead of their second match in the UEFA Nations League double header against the Belgian Red Flames. The home leg saw a dominant win for England, with five different players on the score-sheet. Joy from Friday’s performance was marred only by injuries, as Alessia Russo was the third player to withdraw from the squad this window.

Despite these (and other) injuries, England head into the game top of their Nations League group half-way through the phase. They are one point ahead of world champions Spain, and a win against Belgium will see them retain that lead. Draw or lose, and that lead diminishes, dependent on Portugal’s ability to thwart their Spanish rivals.

During the press conference, questions primarily revolved around these injuries – both new and long-term. Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman was asked for updates on the three players who left camp, but could not provide any this soon. In terms of those out longer-term, Wiegman shared her hope that all or part of the trio (Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood) will return in time for the last scheduled camp before this summer’s European championships.

The role of Beth Mead was highlighted by media, with her head coach agreeing that the Arsenal player was integral for the team’s attack in the home game – particularly linking up with Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze. This is something Wiegman will be hoping to replicate on Tuesday evening, although she admitted that she is expecting a different game – that Belgium will “play a little deeper” and be tougher to break down.

Above: Beth Mead for England. Photo: Shell Lawrence for Impetus.

With the likely return of Belgian star player Tessa Wullaert and the Belgian fans known to be loud in their support, the game already has potential to be difficult. There are echoes of the time England played here in late 2023; they were also besieged by injuries that autumn, however were not on as good a run of form.

The game in 2023 also came soon after the world cup, when many players were feeling the fallout from their journey. Looking ahead, Wiegman issued a strong statement: that England are out “to get revenge on ourselves” – that the team did not play well in 2023, and are looking to rectify that.

Wiegman was joined by Chelsea left back Niamh Charles, who has endured a difficult season thus far. One of England’s most promising young players, Charles suffered an injury late last year and missed a few months of Chelsea’s season alongside two England camps.

Above: Niamh Charles for England against Belgium. Photo: Shell Lawrence for Impetus.

Asked what it is like to come back into a squad that is developing rapidly ahead of a summer tournament, Charles responded that it has been nice to be back “catching up on what I’ve missed and being in and around the conversations we’ve had as well, that it is sort of a new team and we’re really looking forward to developing that camp by camp.”

She continued; “…it was nice, although it was horrible watching from the side-lines. It was sort of nice to see the progress and then come back in and be a part of it.”

Belgium v England kicks off at 19:30 UK time on ITV.

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