Red Flames
With her 80th, 81st and 82nd goals for Belgium, captain Tessa Wullaert led the Red Flames to another 5–1 win against Hungary. And she comes within one goal of Romelu Lukaku’s Belgian record.
Belgium did what it had to in part two of the Nations League jump-off matches against Hungary. After the 1-5 in the first leg, it became 5-1 to Den Dreef in Leuven. The Red Flames thus ensure retention in division A of the Nations League and a favorable starting position in the draw for the European Championship qualifiers. It will take place on March 5 in Switzerland.
The match ended well but started poorly and was a poor copy of the first leg. The Red Flames also conceded a goal after a pitiful start, after which captain Tessa Wullaert had to wake up her team.
Belgium appeared with a strong team at the kick-off, only Lisa Luchtfus replaced goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, who was injured in the hamstrings. Lichtfus, the only Walloon in the team of national coach Ives Serneels, showed her class by saving a good long shot from Hungarian right back Laura Kovacs halfway through the first half. But in the corner kick that followed, the Luxembourgish player went loose under the ball and Amber Tysiak and Marie Detruyer were also unable to process the ball. Hungary shocked Leuven with an ‘Olympic goal’: a corner that goes straight into the goal.
Misunderstandings
The Red Flames played even worse after falling behind with little to no pressure on the ball and endless misunderstandings and bad passes. Only deep into the first half did defender Sari Kees find Tessa Wullaert with a deep ball. He broke free and kicked the ball to the far corner with a beautiful ball.
Wullaert continued her momentum in the second half. After a penalty foul on Laura Deloose, she first scored the 2-1 and then also scored the 3-1. Hungary’s spring was broken, substitute Jill Janssens was able to score twice more with an assist from Wullaert.
Tessa Wullaert now has 82 international goals for Belgium, which is only one fewer than Romelu Lukaku. Even more than Lukaku for the Red Devils, Wullaert is currently invaluable for the Flames. She finds solutions, especially in competitions where the square revolves.
Now that retention in the top division of the Nations League has been secured, the Red Flames can concentrate on next year’s European Championships in Switzerland. After hopeful victories against England and the Netherlands last year, qualification is the lower limit. But the level of play in possession remains a sore point. Especially at home, the Flames must learn to start matches more eagerly and focused.