LEUVEN — How had it all gone so horribly wrong? With less than half an hour on the clock, Millie Bright and Leah Williamson led an impromptu huddle around the centre-circle. The inquest into one of England‘s biggest capitulations in recent memory had begun.
Despite a dream debut for Michelle Agyemang, who smashed in a spectacular volley 41 seconds after coming on, there were few other positives. And on a night when there were as many frantic mini-team talks as there were goals, one name ought to have come up again and again.
The Lionesses are contending with multiple injuries – to Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, Lauren James and Chloe Kelly – but it is the understated Alex Greenwood who is sorely, irreplaceably missed by a stagnant defence.
WHAT A WAY TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF!!
Michelle Agyemang with a BEAUTY!
England are right back in this one…#ITVFootball | #UWNL pic.twitter.com/RrzXuP9qZL
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 8, 2025
First, Tessa Wullaert slipped past Niamh Charles to kickstart a miserable first half for the Chelsea left-back.
Philtjens was soon guilty of giving away a penalty, won and converted by Beth Mead. England should not have needed that for their opener – they dominated possession but were repeatedly hit in transition.
Player of the match – Tessa Wullaert
Terrorised England down the wing – Wiegman was right to single her out before kick-off
Asked by The i Paper how Russo’s injury had altered the dynamics of her attack, Wiegman said: “Of course there’s different personnel but it had also to do with the spaces were a lot smaller, the space behind the defence was a lot smaller.
square FOOTBALL Sport AnalysisThe Lionesses have a three-way dilemma this summer - and that's no bad thing
Read More
Indeed it is Greenwood who remains the biggest loss due to the lack of options at left-back.
The latter role was filled by Nikita Parris on her first England start since November 2022 – the experiment ended when she was brought off for Fran Kirby.
Agyemang’s impact was the most seismic – Wiegman hailed her as an “absolute talent” – but she is not the only one staking her claim. The voices calling for Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier – who did not get on again – are becoming harder to ignore.
Your next read
square FOOTBALLAn Everton player was racially abused. This is what happened next
square FOOTBALLDeclan Rice scores two sensational free-kicks as Arsenal stun Real Madrid
square FOOTBALLAston Villa, meet the new PSG – no ‘bling-bling’, girlfriends or Galacticos
square FOOTBALLNine wretched reasons for Leicester’s demise under Van Nistelrooy
Wiegman’s side have spent so long fending off questions about their readiness for Euro 2025 – not least with the recent statement victory over Spain.
Just as it looked as though England had taken a leap forward, they were sent two steps hurtling back.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Lionesses’ shock defeat to Belgium exposed their biggest weakness )
Also on site :