Belgium 0-2 England: Nikita Parris and Karen Carney net in Three Lions win
Wednesday 21 September 2016 09:38, UK
Nikita Parris and Karen Carney fired home in the second half as England completed their Euro 2017 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Belgium.
The late strikes in Heverlee guaranteed Mark Sampson's team, who had already qualified for next year's finals in Holland, would finish top of Group Seven with 22 points from a possible 24.
Belgium had started the night as the only other team who could pip England to top spot and their threat was real, having earned a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in Rotherham in April.
But Parris headed home from a Carney cross after 66 minutes to break the deadlock, and Carney wrapped up victory with a skilful solo goal five minutes from full-time.
England had struggled for long periods in a frustrating first half, despite Lucy Bronze going inches away from firing the Lionesses into an early lead.
Belgium had chances, with England's Jill Scott having to head a dangerous Tessa Wullaert cross out from under her own bar and Heleen Jaques stumbling over a fine opportunity to put the hosts ahead.
England started the second period in much more purposeful fashion and should have taken the lead when Jill Scott was unable to convert a superb Demi Stokes cross in front of goal.
Carney fired wide but the visitors had to stay alert with England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley forced into her first real save of the match as she tipped an Elke Van Gorp header over the bar.
Parris finally struck to break the deadlock and the visitors finally began to look comfortable as Belgium struggled to create opportunities to pull back level.
And it was effectively all over five minutes from time when Carney beat one defender in the box then hit a shot which deflected into the net off defender Lorca Van De Putte.
For the first time in her short international career, Arsenal striker Danielle Carter failed to get on the scoresheet. After hat-tricks in her first two appearances, both against Estonia, Carter was substituted at half-time in Leuven.
Scotland celebrated reaching Euro 2017 by ending their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 away win over group winners Iceland.
Jane Ross headed home Emma Mitchell's cross for the opener, although the hosts levelled when Fanndis Fridriksdottir's miscued effort crept past Gemma Fay.
Caroline Weir then hit the post before Ross converted a penalty for the winner after Lisa Evans was felled in the box.
Wales ended their qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw with Austria in Newport.
