Belgium 3-2 England: Teen sensation Michelle Agyemang scores 41 seconds into debut however Lionesses fall to defeat in Leuven
- Belgium hit three goals in 30 minutes to take the game away from the visitors
- Beth Mead and Michelle Agyemang both score for the Lionesses in Leuven
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Sarina Wiegman mentioned ‘revenge’ before the Lionesses return here, to the place where they had been beaten 3-2 two years ago to hamper their Olympic qualification chances, but it’s fair to say she wouldn’t have had this in mind.
In fact, it was far more evident that it was England’s opponents who had the devil on their shoulder and revenge in their minds.
England put five past Belgium at Ashton Gate last Friday in a brutal rout for the visitors, and Leah Williamson and Co travelled to Leuven with a target on their backs.
The England squad had taken a beating in that game, with Lauren James and Alessia Russo following Chloe Kelly out of the door as Wiegman’s injury headaches continued to grow.
And the Belgian ‘Red Flames’ came out hot, stunning the Lionesses through former Manchester City striker Tessa Wullaert in the opening minutes of the game, the Belgium captain shrugging off Niamh Charles and slotting past Hannah Hampton’s outstretched hand.
The coffee had clearly not kicked in yet when Everton’s Justine Vanhaevermaet doubled the hosts’ advantage 10 minutes later, with Wullaert coming again before the half-hour mark to treble the Belgians lead.
The Lionesses were stunned by Belgium’s three goals in the opening 30 minutes of the game
Brighton striker Michelle Agyemang scored 41 seconds after making her debut for England
An emergency Lioness huddle followed and moments later Beth Mead won them a penalty, which she converted, keeping her composure amidst the raucous whistles from the crowd behind the goal.
Wiegman wrung the changes at half-time, bringing off Niamh Charles and Millie Bright for Jess Carter and Esme Morgan, and England finally began to find their feet but still looked lost without Russo.
With ten minutes left to go 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who had received a late call-up following Russo’s withdrawal, came on and scored after having been on the pitch mere seconds.
The young Brighton striker’s brief cameo a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing evening for Wiegman’s side.
