Lionesses open up friendly campaign ahead of Women’s Euro with victory over Belgium

England began their preparations for the forthcoming Women’s Euros with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Belgium at Molineux on Thursday night.

After a goalless first half, England took control of the second half to run out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Chloe Kelly,Rachel Daly and a Nicky  Evrard own goal.

Kelly marked her first game under manager Sarina Wiegman by coming off the bench to score her maiden England senior team goal. City winger Kelly, who suffered a serious ACL knee injury in April and last played for England a year ago, had her shot deflected for England’s opener.

Fellow substitute Rachel Daly added a second four minutes later to double the lead, and the third came with seven minutes of normal time when skipper Leah Williamson’s shot hit the bar and came off goalkeeper Evrard.

The first half had a host of chances for the hosts including Williamson’s effort cleared of the line.

Georgia Stanway and Lauren hemp also went close for the hosts before Kelly’s burst of pace to beat the Belgium defender and her shot was heavily deflected into thew bottom corner of the net.

Daly, pounced on a loose ball for England’s second goal from a corner to double the hosts advantage before Williamson smashed a rebound in off the keeper.

In truth, Belgium rarely troubled one of the favourites for the Women’s Euros, apart from Feli Delacauw, who was unmarked at the time but sliced her effort wide of the mark.

England wore black armbands as attribute to Wiegman’s sister who passed away earlier this month.

The hosts for the Women’s Euros will next face the Netherlands and Switzerland before they open up their Euros campaign against Austria at Old Trafford on July 6^th.

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