Sarina Wiegman says Lionesses want ‘revenge’ for surprise loss to Nations League rivals two years ago 

SARINA WIEGMAN has challenged England to show their rivals how much better they have become three months before their Euros title defence. 

The Lioness chief wants her players to avenge a Nations League away loss they suffered against Belgium almost two years ago.

On Tuesday Wiegman’s players will take on the Red Flames at Den Dreef Stadium in a bid to claim back-to-back wins agains their opponents.

They also aim to register a third victory from four Nations League group stage game so far this year.  

The last time the reigning Euros champions faced their rivals at the ground in the Belgian city of Leuven was back in October 2023. 

Wiegman, who had guided England to a World Cup final two months earlier, which her team narrowly lost to Spain, reckons her players were “struggling” with their levels back then. 

But since the start of this year the Lionesses have gone unbeaten in the Nations League and aim to remain top of their group. 

Aside from trouncing Belgium 5-0 in Bristol last Friday, world champions Spain were consigned to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley in February. 

Of her team’s loss to the Red Flames in 2023, the England boss said: “How I experienced that game is that we didn’t play our best.

“It was off the back of the World Cup so we were struggling with our levels a bit. 

“How I see this game is that we kind of want to get revenge on ourselves. 

“We really want to show we are better than we were then and we can do a lot better.”

Tomorrow’s match could see England starlet Michelle Agyemang named on the bench after helping the young Lionesses qualify for this year’s Women’s Under-19s Euros. 

The Arsenal striker, on loan at Brighton this term, received her first senior call-up, following an injury to club colleague Alessia Russo.

During this international window Agyemang played an influential role in helping England’s Under-19s qualify for the European Championship for their age group.  

The Seagulls loan ace helped the young Lionesses top their group by scoring during their 5-1 triumph over Austria in the qualifiers on April 5. 

At club level she has made 14 top-flight appearances off the bench this season and helping Albion climb to fifth in the WSL.

With Russo crocked and Lauren James and Chloe Kelly’s withdrawals due to hamstring and foot concerns, Beth Mead is likely to start again for England against Belgium. 

The Arsenal forward, who was absent from England’s February camp due to injury, provided an assist during their 5-0 win against Belgium last time out. 

And Niamh Charles reckons Mead is among England’s most influential figures when it comes to helping younger players such as Agyemang who are rising through the international ranks

The Lioness full-back told reporters: “Beth is good at helping the younger players to come out of their shells.

“We’re lucky she’s back and she is one of the senior players.

“We have a few of them that have been to many, many tournaments.

“And I think you can see in the dressing room when we bring the younger ones in, how they help them to feel comfortable.”