Red Flames
The Red Flames suffered another clear defeat in their European Championship qualification after the 0-7 against Spain. In Denmark it became 4–2, after a weak first and much stronger second half. The European Championship suddenly seems far away for the Belgians.
Half an hour. For so long in the first half, the Red Flames seemed able to put their foot next to number thirteen in the world. Then things suddenly went fast. It was a prize at the first real chance. And Veje’s cross first hit the crossbar. In the corner kick that followed – the question is whether goalkeeper Lichtfus actually touched the ball – it was a hit. Vangsgaard was too strong for Kees and headed in the 1–0.
Less than ten minutes later it happened again. After a good dribble from Svava on the left, Vangsgaard was able to head in again. Kees turned out not to be ready for the smart running action of the PSG attacker in her back.
Just before half time, star player Pernille Harder, who played her 150th international match, also disbanded. Harder cleverly put Svava away in the back of the Flames. Svava also scored a goal after an assist.
Near-remontada
The Flames showed a completely different face after halftime. On the hour mark, the visitors had their first excellent opportunity to score the tying goal. After a good run by the good substitute Janssens on the right, Vanhaevermaet, who played higher in the second half, found the Danish goalkeeper Ostergaard on her way. On the other side, the Flames were defeated less than two minutes later. Thogersen also scored a goal after a nice action and ditto place ball from the right.
The Flames still didn’t give up. Less than five minutes after the 4-0, Sari Kees managed to score the tying goal after a good cross from Deloose. When the Danish women then started to blunder, with goalkeeper Ostergaarde grabbing, the Flames completely believed in a stunt: Delacauw scored the 4-2. The same Delacauw was able to score again five minutes later, but the 4–3 and the hope for a complete turnaround died on the post.
After the zero out of six against Spain and Denmark, the Red Flames are a dismal fourth and last in their qualifying group. Only the first two are certain of their place at the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland. A third place, with the accompanying ticket for the play-offs, seems the most realistic goal for the Flames. A vital move to the Czech Republic awaits at the end of May.
