Belgium’s women’s national team, the Red Flames, were held to a goalless draw by Scotland in their UEFA Women’s Nations League Group A3 encounter at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Friday evening, leaving their hopes of securing top spot in the group dependent on goal difference ahead of the final matchday.
The 0-0 result means Belgium remains level with Scotland on four points from two matches, but the Scots hold a superior goal difference after their 2-0 win over Luxembourg earlier in the week. With one game left — against Luxembourg at home — the Red Flames now need a significant victory to overturn the deficit and claim first place, which would guarantee promotion to League A for the next edition of the competition.
Head coach Pia Sundhage, in her first major tournament in charge since taking over from Ives Serneels, acknowledged the frustration of failing to break down a well-organized Scottish defense but insisted her side created enough chances to win. “We had the better opportunities, especially in the first half,” Sundhage said in her post-match press conference. “But we lacked the final pass, the composure in the box. Credit to Scotland — they defended with discipline and made it difficult for us to discover space.”
The match unfolded as a tense, tactical affair, with both sides cautious in the opening stages. Belgium dominated possession, completing over 65% of their passes, but struggled to convert territorial advantage into clear-cut chances. Scotland, meanwhile, relied on quick transitions and the physical presence of striker Claire Emslie to threaten on the break.
The best chance of the first half fell to Belgium’s Tessa Wullaert in the 22nd minute. After a intricate passing move down the right flank, Wullaert found space inside the box and fired a low drive that Scotland goalkeeper Lee Alexander parried safely. Minutes later, Janice Cayman tested Alexander from distance, but the shot lacked power and was comfortably gathered.
Scotland grew into the game after the half-hour mark, with Caroline Weir and Rachel Corsie combining well in midfield to disrupt Belgium’s rhythm. A rare foray forward saw Emslie chase down a long ball, but her effort was blocked by Belgium’s defensive anchor, Laura De Neve.
The second half began with Belgium pushing for an opener. Sundhage introduced midfielder Julie Biesmans and forward Davinia Vanmechelen in search of fresh impetus. Vanmechelen nearly broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, latching onto a through ball from Tine De Caigny and curling a effort just wide of the far post.
Scotland responded with renewed urgency, and in the 72nd minute, they came closest to scoring. Erin Cuthbert intercepted a loose pass in midfield and drove forward before slipping a pass to Lisa Evans, whose first-time shot from the edge of the box was smothered by Belgium’s goalkeeper, Nicky Evrard.
As the clock ticked down, Belgium threw numbers forward. Tessa Wullaert had two late chances — first, a header from a corner that Alexander saved at her near post, and then a volley from the edge of the box that flew just over the crossbar. Despite sustained pressure, the visitors held firm, earning a valuable point on the road.
The result leaves Belgium in a precarious position heading into the final matchday. Luxembourg, who lost 2-0 to Scotland in their previous outing, will visit Brussels knowing a win could still see them sneak into second place if results elsewhere travel their way. For Belgium, the math is clear: they must win by a margin sufficient to overcome Scotland’s current +2 goal difference advantage.
According to verified match statistics from UEFA, Belgium recorded 18 shots to Scotland’s 8, with six on target compared to the Scots’ two. However, only two of Belgium’s shots came from inside the six-yard box, highlighting their struggles in the final third. Scotland completed 320 passes at an 81% accuracy rate, demonstrating their composure under pressure.
Historically, the Red Flames have struggled to break down deep-lying defenses in recent campaigns. In their last five home matches against teams sitting in the bottom half of the FIFA rankings, Belgium have averaged just 1.2 goals per game — a concern for Sundhage as she prepares her side for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers.
Looking ahead, the final matchday fixtures are set for Tuesday evening. Belgium will host Luxembourg at the King Baudouin Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Local time (18:00 UTC). Simultaneously, Scotland will face a tough away trip to face league leaders England, who have already secured promotion with maximum points from their first two matches.
Should Belgium win by three or more goals and Scotland fail to gain points against England, the Red Flames would clinch first place on goal difference. A two-goal victory would require Scotland to lose by at least one goal, while a one-goal win would only suffice if Scotland lose by three or more — a scenario considered unlikely given England’s current form.
For now, the focus remains on correcting the lack of cutting edge in attack. Sundhage emphasized the need for better decision-making in the final third during her post-match remarks. “We moved the ball well, but we need to be more clinical,” she said. “The chances were there. We have to put them away.”
The Red Flames’ next training session is scheduled for Monday at the National Football Centre in Tubize, where the squad will review match footage and prepare for the Luxembourg encounter. Ticket sales for the final group match remain open via the Royal Belgian FA’s official website, with expectations of a strong home crowd eager to see their team secure the vital win.
As the Nations League campaign enters its decisive phase, Belgium’s fate is no longer entirely in their own hands. But with pride, positioning, and a potential pathway to Euro 2025 qualification on the line, the Red Flames know what is required: a performance worthy of their ambitions, and the goals to match.
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