Aggie Beever-Jones and Keira Walsh also bagged their first senior international goals in a huge win for the reigning European champions

England's Lionesses cruised to a comfortable 5-0 win over Belgium on Friday night to rise to the top of their Women's Nations League group and continue their undefeated start to 2025. Goals from Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Aggie Beever-Jones, Jess Park and Keira Walsh secured all three points for Sarina Wiegman's side on an evening of dominance, with the European champions unlucky not to be victorious by an even greater margin after Alessia Russo twice hit the same post in the first half.

Belgium have caused England problems in the past, beating them in the previous edition of the Nations League after the 2023 Women's World Cup, but while they were by no means terrible on this occasion, they struggled to create much against a sturdy and locked-in Lionesses defence, which set a solid foundation for plenty of positive things further up the pitch. It was midway through the first half when Bronze deservedly broke the deadlock from a fantastic Lauren James cross and then the full-back turned provider before the break, as her header was pounced on by Bright to double that advantage.

Though in a comfortable enough lead, England's pressure didn't relent after the interval. A brilliant cross from Mead gave half-time substitute Beever-Jones the chance to really make sure of the win, with her showcasing great movement and providing a clinical finish for her first senior international goal. Jess Park, another introduction from the bench, made it four after some superb pressing and, having seen Nicky Evrard tip a fantastic effort of hers onto the post earlier, Walsh joined Beever-Jones in finding the back of the net for the first time for the Lionesses when her deflected effort put the cherry on the cake late on.

GOAL rates England's players from Ashton Gate…

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Hannah Hampton (7/10):

Had great chemistry with a back four that featured three club-mates, resulting in some good defensive efforts between them and some solid distribution. Didn't have any real saves to make.

Lucy Bronze (8/10):

Great at both ends of the pitch, covering well at the back while offering a real threat going forward. Deserved her goal.

Leah Williamson (7/10):

Moved the ball consistently well and was defensively solid throughout.

Millie Bright (7/10):

Reacted well when needed in her own box and was great in possession. Brave to throw herself at Bronze's header to get on the scoresheet.

Niamh Charles (7/10):

Brought plenty of energy and did little wrong. Made a huge block to prevent Delacauw getting Belgium back into things at 2-0.

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Keira Walsh (8/10):

Covered well in defence, played some classy passes to kickstart promising attacks and finally got her first England goal late on, having come so close to it a few minutes earlier.

Grace Clinton (6/10):

Showcased great footwork throughout and constantly used it to get out of tight areas, while contributing some nice touches to the attack.

Ella Toone (6/10):

Showed good off the ball movement and had some nice moments.

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Beth Mead (8/10):

A constant threat to Belgium. Positive and direct in her play all night to get some dangerous crosses into the box and create chances.

Alessia Russo (7/10):

Pressed well, made good runs and generally just linked up nicely with those around her. Really unlucky not to get a goal.

Lauren James (6/10):

Always looked to make something happen when she got on the ball and it was her cross that allowed Bronze to break the deadlock. Off at the break, potentially with a knock.

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Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):

On at the break, taking James' place on the left. Was a really lively introduction and showed fantastic movement to get on the end of Mead's cross for a first England goal.

Jess Park (6/10):

Was relatively quiet until she pounced onto a huge opportunity to make it 4-0 and clinically took it.

Esme Morgan (N/A):

Slotted into the centre of defence for the final 15 minutes.

Nikita Parris (N/A):

Continued her international renaissance with another appearance in the latter stages.

Jess Carter (N/A):

Gave former Chelsea team-mate Bright a deserved rest for the final 10 minutes.

Sarina Wiegman (8/10):

Didn't underestimate a Belgium team that have caused England real problems in the past, choosing essentially her best XI. They delivered a top performance and her substitutes were impactful, too. A great night.