Result: Belgium 2-0 England
Date: 15 November 2020
Venue: King Power at Den Dreef Stadion
Belgium strengthened their grip on top spot in UEFA Nations League A Group 2 with a 2-0 victory over England on Sunday evening.
The Red Devils took the lead in the 10th minute. Eric Dier gave the ball away sloppily and Romelu Lukaku laid the ball off to Youri Tielemans, whose shot took a slight deflection off Tyrone Mings before going off the right-hand post and in.
England were sparked into action by going behind and almost replied instantaneously when Harry Kane headed Ben Chilwell's corner towards the top right-hand corner but Lukaku did brilliantly to head it off the line.
Roberto Martinez's side doubled their lead in the 23rd minute. Kevin de Bruyne was about to pull the trigger on the edge of the box before being fouled by Declan Rice. Dries Mertens stepped up and curled a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top left-hand corner.
England, however, continued to look purposeful. Kane played a lovely flick out to Jack Grealish down the left and the Aston Villa man reached the byline before cutting the ball back for Mount, who couldn't keep his volley down.
On the stroke of half-time, Kane took a pass into the box from Mason Mount and shot for goal from a tight angle on the left, forcing Thibault Courtois to make a stop at his near post. Kieran Trippier sent the resulting corner in but Mount couldn't get his header on target.
Gareth Southgate brought Harry Winks on for Jordan Henderson at the break. Two minutes after the interval, De Bruyne powered towards the box and dragged a shot wide of the left-hand post.
In the 57th minute, Mount's backheel found Kane on the edge of the box and the England captain struck it first-time but it was straight down the middle at Courtois who claimed it. Three minutes later, Grealish danced this way this way and that to the left of the penalty area before finally cutting inside on his right foot and curling an effort just over the crossbar.
Belgium had an opportunity in the 76th minute. With his back to goal, Lukaku played a wonderful flick out wide to Mertens, who returned the favour and Jordan Pickford saved Lukaku's shot which was heading for the bottom left corner. However, the two first-half goals were enough to secure maximum points.
