England are set to face Belgium on Tuesday, 26 March at Wembley Stadium in a match that suddenly feels very important for a friendly after the home side's dismal performance against Brazil on Saturday night. The same can be said for Belgium, who played out a drab 0-0 draw with Ireland at the weekend and with just three months to go until Euro 2024, time is running out for both sides to find form and confidence.
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England vs Belgium H2H record
The England vs Belgium rivalry is one that has been ongoing for over 100 years with the first meeting between the two nations taking place in 1921. The Three Lions were unbeaten in their first nine matches against the Red Devils before they finally got one over on England in 1936. In total, there have been 25 matches played between the two nations.
- England Wins: 16
- Draws: 4
- Belgium Wins: 5
This is a fixture that England completely dominated until recently. However, the emergency of Belgium's golden generation, featuring the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukau and Kevin de Bruyne, has seen a shift in the pattern of results.
England vs Belgium last five H2Hs
Belgium 2-0 England – 15th November 2020
The most recent England vs Belgium H2H took place in November 2020 in the UEFA Nations League. With two games to go in the group, England were in control and a draw would have seen them go into the final match against Iceland with their fate in their own hands. However, Belgium were too strong for them on the day with the two goals coming from Dries Mertens and Youri Tielemens.
England 2-1 Belgium – 11th October 2020
A month earlier, England and Belgium faced each other at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League. The match was considered a pivotal one between the two sides strongest teams in Group Two and it was England came out on top in a high-quality match. Romelu Lukaku gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before Marcus Rashford equalised just before half time. Then, in the second half, Mason Mount scored the all-important winner.
Belgium 2-0 England – 14th July 2018
Belgium and England met in the World Cup third-place playoff in Russia in 2018 in a match that neither side would have really wanted to have played. A few days earlier, France had overcome Belgium by one goal to nil while England had been dumped out by Croatia in Extra Time. The match wasn't played with much intensity but Belgium were deserved winners thanks to goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard.
England 0-1 Belgium – 20th June 2018
Earlier in the same World Cup, England and Belgium met in the group stages. This was the final match of the group stages and both teams had already qualified for the knockout rounds. It was effectively a match to decide who would go through as group winners but due to bizarre circumstances, it had transpired that coming 2nd resulted in an “easier” route to the final. Belgium came out on top on the night thanks to a goal from Adnan Januzaj but England were the real winners.
England 1-0 Belgium – 2nd June 2012
Way back in 2012, England and Belgium played each other in a friendly match before Euro 2012. Belgium hadn't qualified for the tournament but their golden generation was emerging which made this a stern test for the Three Lios. England narrowly came on top on the night to send them into the Euros in high spirits thanks to a first half goal from Danny Welbeck.
Potential MVP – Phil Foden
Phil Foden is enjoying the best season of his career at club level but he is yet to translate that form to the international scene. The 23-year-old has shone for Man City this season with 18 goals and 10 assists to his name but against Brazil on Saturday night, he failed to even get a single touch of the ball in the opposition box.
Gareth Southgate needs to find a way to get the best out of Phil Foden because if they can, then they will be a force to be reckoned with at the upcoming European Championships.
Key trend
Looking at the England vs Belgium last five H2Hs, a noticeable trend is that firstly, these teams don't tend to draw with each other and secondly, a Win to Nil is common. In four of the last five H2Hs, the Win to Nil market has been covered – England are 15/8 to Win to nil while Belgium are 11/2 to Win to Nil.
For more tips, check out our in-depth England vs Belgium prediction.
