England Women face Belgium on Thursday 29 August in what will be the Lionesses’ first match since they finished fourth at the 2019 World Cup.
The two sides faced each other twice in Euro 2017 qualifying.
Janice Cayman scored as Belgium earned a 1-1 draw in Rotherham in April 2016, the first meeting between the nations for 22 years, before goals by Nikita Parris and Karen Carney helped England win 2-0 in Leuven five months later to seal the Lionesses’ place at the Euro finals.
The lowdown
Belgium narrowly missed out on a place at France 2019, only losing to Switzerland on away goals in the play-off semi-finals.
The Red Flames had finished runners-up to Italy in qualifying group 6 before a 2-2 draw in Leuven and a 1-1 draw in Biel sealed their fate. It would have been Belgium’s first-ever appearance at the World Cup finals.
Eleven players in the current squad were part of the matchday 18 that last faced England, in September 2016.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Nicky Evrard, Justine Odeurs, Diede Lemey, Lisa Lichtfus
Defenders: Julie Biesmans, Maud Coutereels, Laura De Never, Laura Deloose, Heleen Jaques, Davina Philtjens, Charlotte Tison, Shari van Belle
Midfielders: Marie Minnaert, Kassandra Missipo, Lenie Onzia, Justine van Haevermaet
Forwards: Janice Cayman, Elena Dhont, Tine de Caigny, Lisa Petry, Davinia van Mechelen, Elke van Gorp, Ella van Kerkhoven, Chloe van de Velde, Tessa Wullaert.
Head coach
- Ives Serneels
Ives Serneels spent nine seasons at Lierse as a player and was part of the 1996–97 First Division title-winning team.
When he was appointed head coach of the Belgium women’s team in 2011, the Red Flames were ranked 32nd in the world. They have been on an upward trajectory ever since and are now 19th in the rankings.
Notable players
- Tessa Wullaert
Fans of the Barclays FA WSL will be familiar with Belgium forward Tessa Wullaert.
The Red Flames’ all-time leading goalscorer joined Manchester City in June 2018 and won both the FA Women’s Continental League Cup and Women’s FA Cup in her first season at the Academy Stadium.
- Janice Cayman
Cayman, like England duo Parris and Alex Greenwood, joined European champions Lyon this summer.
An attacking midfielder of some repute, the 30-year-old won the NWSL with Western New York Flash in 2016 before plundering 18 goals in two seasons at Montpellier.
Cayman scored in the 1-1 draw with England in April 2016 and was also on target in Belgium’s World Cup play-off semi-final defeat by Switzerland.
Previous meetings
England and Belgium have faced each other 11 times including their first meeting in 1978.
The Lionesses have the upper hand in these previous encounters, winning eight matches and losing just once, in 1980.
31 Oct 78 England 3-0 Belgium, Southampton
1 May 80 England 1-2 Belgium, Ostende
20 Aug 84 England 1-1 Belgium, Jesolo
25 Aug 84 England 2-1 Belgium, Caorle
14 May 89 England 2-0 Belgium, Epinal
17 Mar 90 England 3-0 Belgium, Ypres
7 Apr 90 England 1-0 Belgium, Sheffield
6 Nov 93 England 3-0 Belgium, Coxyde
13 Mar 94 England 6-0 Belgium, Nottingham
8 Apr 16 England 1-1 Belgium, Rotherham
20 Sep 16 England 2-0 Belgium, Leuven
