The Red Flames have opened their Nations League adventure with a great stunt. After a final offensive, the Belgian women beat top country the Netherlands. The Belgians played bravely and can travel to Scotland next Tuesday with a big confidence boost.
Goals:
60′ Roord: 0-1
61′ Detruyer: 1-1
90+3′ Blom: 2-1
Belgium – Netherlands in a nutshell:
Key moment: The Red Flames come on strong in the added time. They want more than a point and are rewarded for their courage. Tessa Wullaert takes a corner well, Jassina Blom heads the ball past a grabbing Dutch goalkeeper. 2-1 and a major stunt for Belgium!
Woman of the Match: Logically, many standouts for the Flames tonight after the stunt victory. Tessa Wullaert and substitute Jassina Blom provided a threat up front in the second half, Kassandra Missipo was unyielding in midfield. At the back, Sari Kees and goalkeeper Nicky Evrard kept things closed with crucial interventions.
Striking: It has been since 1982 since the Belgian women won a high-stakes match against the Netherlands. Tonight’s 2-1 win is good for their 6th win in total against the Orange Lionesses, the 2nd non-friendly.
Fierce Flames in closed first half
The first ever match in the Women’s Nations League was a great performance for the Red Flames. The Orange Lionesses visited Den Dreef in Leuven for the Derby of the Low Countries.
The last meeting between Belgium and the Netherlands ended 5-0 in early July in favor of our northern neighbors. A one-sided friendly international match that could not be compared to today’s match.
The Flames appeared sharper, kept the lines well closed and were stronger in the duels. They left the ball to the Dutch team before half-time and were dangerous on the counterattack several times, without any real great opportunities.
The pace for the Netherlands was far too slow in the first 45 minutes to create great opportunities. In the 3 minutes of added time this suddenly worked.
However, crucial interventions by Sari Kees with an ultimate tackle and Nicky Evrard with an excellent parade kept the score on the board at half time. Although things did get hot for the Flames for a while.
Quick Belgian reaction, stunt victory in the end
The Dutch final offensive was not initially a harbinger for the second half.
The Belgian women left the dressing room with a knife between their teeth and started looking more intensively for the opening goal, without success.
The Netherlands took over again and after a few warnings from Beerensteyn and Roord, the duo scored on the hour mark. Roord opened the score with a loud bang after a surprising pass from Beerensteyn.
The Flames did not seem to be upset and before the Dutch women had finished celebrating, the boards were again in balance.
Marie Detruyer processed a cross past the debuting goalkeeper Weimar against the ropes.
An equalizer that was already celebrated as a stunt, but the Belgians wanted more. Tessa Wullaert was able to approach Weimar almost alone, the Dutchwoman came out well and avoided the danger.
In added time the reward for the courage of the Red Flames followed. A well-placed corner from Wullaert ended up in the Dutch goal via Jassina Blom and a grabbing Weimar.
Den Dreef exploded and witnessed a major stunt. The Belgian women open the group of death in the Nations League with a victory against top country the Netherlands.
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