The Lionesses were always likely to suffer a dip after their summer exploits, but tonight they can show they have got over any World Cup hangover.
The tournament in Australia was draining, while the tight turnaround to this season barely gave players time to recover.
But, after an unconvincing 2-1 win over Scotland and a 2-1 defeat by Holland last month, Friday’s win over Belgium showed England are finding their feet again. The 1-0 scoreline suggested a tight affair but they had 71 per cent possession and 23 shots on goal.
Sarina Wiegman wants her side to be more clinical tonight when they face Belgium again, and a statement performance here in Leuven would show they are back in the groove.
“Obviously after losing a World Cup Final it is sometimes un-motivating to wake up and turn up to training every day,” said midfielder Georgia Stanway ahead of the game.
“I feel we have hit the ground running this camp. Everybody has been firing in training. We have got people back, we’ve got Fran [Kirby] back, which is also a real highlight for us.”
Belgium will look to sit deep and frustrate the Lionesses and the pressure will be on the England attack — led by Alessia Russo — to break them down.
Goals have been an issue for England, who have managed just four in their three Nations League games.
They trail Group A leaders Holland on goal difference and will need to have clicked into gear before they meet the Dutch in a potential group decider at Wembley in December.
Only the group winners will reach the Nations League semi-finals next February, with the teams who reach the final qualifying for next summer’s Olympics.
