Source: The FA via Getty Images

England women beat Belgium to finish top of Euro qualifying group

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England had already qualified for next year’s Euro finals in the Netherlands but a win or draw against Belgium would secure top spot.

And it looked as if a draw would be the result after a fairly uneventful if not dull first half.

The second half was more pacey but there were too many missed passes and although trying to impose themselves England lacked any real cutting edge and at times their passing was poor.  It all changed in the 65th minute when a pin point cross from Karen Carney was headed down into the net by Nikita Parris (her third goal in an England shirt).

Twenty minutes later Carney made it 2-0, played in with a beautiful ball from Jade Moore (who had come on for Danielle Carter at half time) Carney calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.

The Lionesses next match is a friendly against France on 21 October in Doncaster.

Tickets are priced £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions and can be purchased from the Doncaster Rovers website.

Belgium: 1 Justien Odeurs, 3 Heleen Jaques, 5 Lorca van de Putte, 6 Tine de Caigny, 7 Elke van Gorp, 9 Tessa Wullaert, 10 Aline Zeler (C), 11 Janice Cayman, 17 Lien Mermans, 20 Julie Biesmans, 22 Laura Deloose.

Substitutes: 14 Lenie Onzia for Mermans 70

Substitutes not used: 2 Davina Philtjens, 12 Diede Lemey, 13 Tine Schrijvers, 15 Sara Yuceil, 19 Imke Courtois, 23 Elien van Wynendaele.

Bookings: Julie Biesmans

Head coach: Ives Serneels

England: 1 Karen Bardsley (Manchester City); 6 Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), 5 Steph Houghton (capt; Manchester City), 4 Jo Potter (Notts County); 2 Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), 8 Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), 7 Jill Scott (Manchester City), 10 Karen Carney (Chelsea), 3 Demi Stokes (Manchester City); 9 Nikita Parris (Manchester City), 11 Danielle Carter (Arsenal).

Substitutes: 15 Jade Moore (Notts County) for Carter 45, 18 Rachel Daly (Houston Dash) for Parris 77, 23 Millie Bright (Chelsea) for Carney 90.

Substitutes not used: 13 Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), 12 Alex Scott (Arsenal), 16 Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), 17 Gemma Davison (Chelsea).

Goals: Parris 65, Carney 85

Booking: Jill Scott

Referee: Pernilla Larsson (SWE)