UEFA Women's Nations League - League A Group 3

✍️Gabriella Valentine

📸via BBC Sport

Team Overviews:

England

Current European Champions, England, are looking to claim an early domination within the tournament as preparation for defending their title in Switzerland this summer.

Previously in the tournament, England failed to make it out of the group stage despite being level on points with the Netherlands.

Can they prove that they are still in the competition for securing silverware this summer or will the arising increase of injuries prevent the team from proving just how strong they can be?

Spain

World Cup winners, Spain, secured their spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics after becoming the first ever winners of the UEFA Women’s Nations League Tournament.

Spain went on to secure a place in the Bronze medal match, against Germany, however were denied any silverware as Germany took Bronze.

Previously in the UEFA Women’s Nations League they took the title as the first ever winners of the Women’s Nations League. The 2024 final saw the winners secure a 2-0 win against France.

Belgium

Having previously missed out on qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Belgium will be looking to strengthen and raise their intensity to gain a change of qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

During the 23/24 UEFA Women’s Nations League Belgium found themselves in the same group as England. Will the two teams see a repeat of the fixtures or will Belgium be able to secure both victories over the Lionesses?

Portugal

Despite qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Portugal failed to make it out of the group stage after only securing three points.

Last year in the 23/24 Women’s Nations League, Portugal sat at the bottom of their group after once again only managing to secure three of the possible eighteen points available.

Matchday 1 Round-Up:

Spain vs Belgium

Spain: Coll, García, Paredes, Aleixandri, Ouahabi, Bonmatí, Abelleira, Lopez, Caldentey, Redondo and Pina

Belgium: Evrard, J. Janssens, Kees, Tysiak, Cayman, S. Janssen, Toloba, Vanhaevermaet, Missipo, Eurlings and Wullaert

World Cup Winners Spain secure a last minute comeback in their opening match of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Belgium opened the game of play on Spain’s home territory just 18 minutes in as Mariam Toloba slotted the first past Cata Coll.

Despite the determination from the Spanish defence Spain found themselves becoming increasingly in danger as the match slowly drew closer to a close.

As the second half began, Belgium persisted with their attacks through the tight, well-worked Spanish defence and eventually exploited the gaps in the line of defence as in the 72nd minute, Tessa Wullaert put her team safely ahead.

However, despite this seemingly safe lead created by Belgium, Spain were quick to capitalise just minutes later as Clàudia Pina slotted it home.

With just minutes left to play, it all seemed over for the World Cup Winners despite their constant attempt to pressurise for another goal.

Lucía García, former Manchester United player, levelled the playing field in the 92nd minute, giving her team one last chance for a victory on home soil.

Cristina Martín-Prieto sealed the win for Spain with just a few moments left to spare.

Portugal vs England

Portugal: Pereira, Borges, Costa, Gomes, Amado, D. Silva, Pinto, Marchão, J. Silva, Norton and D. Silva

England: Earps, Charles, Bright, Williamson, Bronze, Clinton, Walsh, James, Toone, Park and Russo

Portugal hold of the European Champions from securing an early win in the UEFA Women’s Nations League Tournament, following from a late strike which put the home side back in the game.

England, from kick off, used the lack of security within the Portuguese defence to their advantage; allowing them to generate early opportunities to find the back of the net.

Just 15 minutes in England capitalised on this as a cross from Lucy Bronze landed at the feet of Alessia Russo who took the chance to slot it home.

Despite their attempt to regain a goal back, Mary Earps consistently composed herself and prevented Portugal from making a dent in the score line; Providing to both the fans and Sarina Wiegman why she is still England’s number one.

Towards the end of the second half Portugal increased their intensity, preventing the visitors from securing another half of domination by putting constant pressure on the English defence.

On in replacement of Dolores Silva, second half substitute Kika Nazareth found her confidence against the European Champions and made a sensational strike which saw Earps unable to save the Lionesses from an equaliser.

Despite England’s last minute attempts to secure the win away from home, Portugal stood strong and prevented the visitors from claiming the victory of their first Nations League game of the tournament.

Similarly, in England’s first match away from home in the 23/24 UEFA Women’s Nations League, the Lionesses suffered a defeat against the Netherlands.

Could we see a repeat of the previous Nations League for England and will they be able to regain a win against Spain following their last meeting at the World Cup Final?

What does this mean for Group 3’s Table?

After being the only team to secure the victory in the opening matches of Group 3, Spain find themselves sitting at the top of the group, two points clear of both England and Belgium.

Following the draw between Portugal and England both teams failed to secure all three points forcing both teams to have to settle for one.

Belgium, however, failed to secure any points despite almost grasping a win against the current UEFA Women’s Nations League winners.

What’s Next for Group 3?

Belgium are set to face Portugal at 19:15 on the 26th February.

England are set to face Spain at 20:00 on the 26th February and can be streamed on ITV in the UK.

Tickets can be bought for the fixture, which is set to be held at Wembley Stadium, on the Wembley website.