Skip to main content
Published 22 February 2023 5 min read
England Women's Senior Team

England 6-1 Belgium - Arnold Clark Cup match centre

Written by:

Milly McEvoy

  • C. Kelly (12′) (50′)
  • L. Williamson (42′) (93′)
  • J. Biesmans (78′OG)
  • L. Bronze (89′)
FULL TIME
Arnold Clark Cup Group Stage
Wednesday 22 February, 07:45 PM Ashton Gate Stadium
England national football team crest
6 1
HT: 2 - 0
Belgium
  • E. Dhont (91′)
  • V. Ampoorter (64′)

The Lionesses retained the Arnold Clark Cup title for 2023 after a high-scoring victory in their final game against the Red Flames

 The Lionesses celebrate Chloe Kelly's opening goal at Ashton Gate
The Lionesses celebrate Chloe Kelly's opening goal at Ashton Gate
Chloe Kelly’s brace ensured England comfortably defended their Arnold Clark Cup title with a 6-1 win over Belgium at Ashton Gate.

Kelly and Leah Williamson gave the Lionesses a two-goal lead in the first half with wingers Kelly and Lauren James dominating the attack.

The second half saw Kelly score another close-range goal as she sealed the Golden Boot before an own goal from Julie Biesmans and late goals from Lucy Bronze and Williamson rounded off a fantastic performance for England.

Kelly provided several chances throughout the match, twice dribbling her way into the box and unleashing crosses early on, the second of which was narrowly turned behind.
The winger then combined with James for England’s clearest cut chance of the opening exchanges, with Kelly firing in a cross that James met with such pace she could only fire over.

With 12 minutes gone, James took over the attacking intent, dancing down the right and unleashing a cross that none of the Belgium defence dealt with to leave Kelly the opportunity to stab home in similar fashion to her goal in last summer's European Championship final.

Seconds later, James puts in a vital tackle to snuff out one of very few forays Belgium made into England’s half during the first period.

A golden chance to double England’s lead was headed over by Millie Bright in the 27th minute, but the 2022 Golden Boot winner in this competition couldn't get the right angle on a corner from Alex Greenwood and Belgium survived.
 England captain Leah Williamson was on the scoresheet in the first half
England captain Leah Williamson was on the scoresheet in the first half
James then put in runs into the final third three times in four minutes as she proved too much to deal with for Belgium, seeing her final attempt on the 40th minute going just over as she shot from outside the box.

And Bronze showed the defence were just as able to provide assists, as she did well to work the ball to the byline and chip in a perfect cross for Williamson to head home at the far post after 42 minutes.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Kelly involved early again, this time firing in England’s third as she latched onto a spilt ball from Belgian 'keeper Nicky Evrard after a cross from Ella Toone.

The Manchester City star almost had her hat-trick with an hour gone, pinging the corner of the crossbar before Toone rattled the upright minutes later as she shot from the same angle with Evrard getting fingertips to it to tip onto the bar.

Match Line Up

Georgia Stanway then caught Kassandra Missipo napping with 20 minutes to go, but her shot took a deflection and Evrard was able to tip behind for a corner.

England’s fourth came courtesy of an own goal from Biesmans who could do nothing but direct a dangerous cross from Stanway into the bottom corner of her own net.

Then Bronze tapped home the Lionesses' fifth of the night in the 89th minute before a stunning late strike from Elena Dhont saw the visitors finally able to enjoy a little cheer of their own.

England had the final say though, as Williamson's precisely-executed shot from outside the box picked out the bottom corner in stoppage time to wrap things up.

The Lionesses proceeded to lift the trophy in front of 26,169 fans as they extended their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman through another tournament.

England (4-3-3): 1 Mary Earps; 2 Lucy Bronze, 3 Alex Greenwood, 4 Keira Walsh, 5 Millie Bright, 6 Leah Williamson, 7 Chloe Kelly, 8 Georgia Stanway, 9 Alessia Russo, 10 Ella Toone, 16 Lauren James

Substitutes:
11 Lauren Hemp for James 46’, 15 Jess Carter for Greenwood 63’, 12 Rachel Daly for Russo 72’, 14 Jess Park for Toone 81’, 22 Lotte Wubben-Moy for Walsh 81’

Substitutes not used: 13 Ellie Roebuck, 21 Sandy Maciver; 17 Ebony Salmon, 18 Katie Zelem, 19 Niamh Charles, 20 Katie Robinson, 23 Maya Le Tissier, 24 Jordan Nobbs, 25 Laura Coombs

Goals: Kelly 12’ 50’, Williamson 42’ 90+2, Biesmans OG 78’, Bronze 89’

Coach: Sarina Wiegman

Belgium (4-4-2): 1 Nicky Evrard; 5 Sarah Wijnants, 6 Tine De Caigny, 9 Tessa Wullaert, 10 Justine Vanhaevermaet, 11 Janice Cayman, 15 Jody Vangheluwe, 16 Marie Detruyer, 17 Jill Janssens, 20 Julie Biesmans, 23 Kassandra Missipo

Substitutes: 13 Elena Dhont for Detruyer 62’, 26 Valesca Ampoorter for Janssens 62’, 22 Laura Deloose fpr Vangheluwe 62’, 24 Fran Meersman for Biesmans 85’ 7 Hannah Eurlings for Missipo 85’, 25 Welma Fon for Wullaert 89’

Substitutes not used: 12 Diede Lemey, 21 Femke Bastiaen; 2 Davina Philtjens, 3 Ella Van Kerkhoven, 4 Michelle Colson

Goals: Dhont 90+1’

Coach: Ives Serneels
-->