Belgium defeated England in the fifth matchday of the UEFA Nations League at Den Derf Stadium, Leuven, Monday (16/11).
The visitors tried to appear pressing. Harry Kane opened opportunities for England when the game had been running for three minutes.
The 10th minute the hosts change the numbers on the scoreboard. Starting from the ability of Belgium players to read the bait and make interceptions. The ball is quickly rolled forward. Romelu Lukaku then released a pass to Youri Tielemans who executed an opportunity from outside the penalty box.
England tried to respond, Harry Kane’s header from a corner almost resulted in a goal. Luckily Lukaku was beside Thibaut Courtois and helped to block the ball.
Belgium doubled the lead in the 23rd minute. The opportunity of a free kick outside the penalty box is not wasted by Dries Mertens. Mertens’ execution puts the ball to the right of the goal beyond Jordan Pickford’s reach.
England had more possession of the ball, but The Three Lions looked deadlocked in scoring. Belgium killed off the British attack by doing a tight defense so that there was no gap for the opponent to penetrate the penalty box.
In the second half England began to find room to exploit. Belgium players also had to commit a foul near the penalty box to stop the England squad.
The Three Lions’ attack became more serious as the second half passed, but the Belgium defense was able to anticipate.
Belgium, who seemed not to want to add another goal, came out to attack and generate opportunities through Romelu Lukaku. After that England again controlled the ball and had an uproar for the Belgium defense.
Until the match broke up, Belgium kept the score 2-0. Belgium will certainly win Group A2 with 12 points. Meanwhile, England are fixed in third place and certainly will not advance to the semifinals because they are five points adrift of Belgium and the group stage matches have one game left.
