England Faces Belgium in Crucial Women’s Nations League Clash

LEUVEN, Belgium — England’s women’s national soccer team is set to clash with Belgium at Den Dreef Stadion on April 8, 2025, in a pivotal UEFA Women’s Nations League Group 3 match. With both teams struggling for different reasons, the stakes are high for both sides as the tournament progresses.

England, under the guidance of coach Sarina Wiegman, enters the match with confidence, having secured two wins and a draw in their previous three matches. The Lionesses currently sit atop Group A3 after an emphatic 5-0 win over Belgium in their last encounter. In stark contrast, Belgium has yet to earn a point in the group stage, leaving their hopes for advancement hanging by a thread.

“How I see [this game] is that we want to show we are better than we were last time,” Wiegman said in a pre-match press conference. “This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our progress and resolve.”

Belgium, meanwhile, is desperate for a victory. With a dismal record of nine goals conceded and only two scored in their past three games, coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir remains hopeful for a turnaround. “I want to see more energy and belief in our plan throughout the 90 minutes,” Gunnarsdóttir said, emphasizing her team’s need for resilience.

The match also marks the continued rise of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who has been selected for her third consecutive game as England’s starting keeper. “At this moment, she’s a little bit ahead,” Wiegman remarked regarding the decision to favor Hampton over Mary Earps.

In the absence of key players due to injuries, such as Alessia Russo and Lauren James, Wiegman has altered her lineup, fielding experienced forward Nikita Parris alongside young talent Aggie Beever-Jones. Moreover, Jess Park has taken on the No. 10 role in place of Ella Toone, reflecting the team’s adaptability.

The atmosphere in Leuven started to build as the host nation welcomed their captain Tessa Wullaert back into the lineup, who missed the previous match due to injury. Belgium’s squad aims to capitalize on Wullaert’s pace and experience against a strong English defense.

This matchup is essential not just for standings purposes but also for psychological momentum. England’s history at this venue includes a tough 3-2 defeat to Belgium 18 months ago. Fans and players alike are eager to distance themselves from that memory as they pursue top position in the group.

The game is set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. local time (CET), with UK viewers able to follow the action on ITV1 and ITVX. As England looks to maintain their unbeaten streak in the group, anything less than a win for Belgium could essentially end their Nations League ambitions.

In related group news, Spain leads the standings after a dominant 4-0 performance against Portugal earlier in the day, putting additional pressure on England and Belgium as they vie for points.

As the match approaches, fans are poised for an intense battle between two nations at critical junctures in their Women’s Nations League campaigns.