Belgium’s Red Flames out of Women’s Euro 2022 after quarter-final loss (0-1)

The Red Flames' Euro 2022 dreams ended in the dying seconds of their quarter-final against Sweden on Friday evening.

The highest-ranked team in the tournament needed a 92nd-minute winner to secure their semi-final place against England on Tuesday.

It was a cruel end for Belgium, the lowest-ranked side left in the Women’s Euro 2022, who were 30 seconds away from pushing Sweden into extra time.

The latter’s defender Linda Sembrant finally pinpointed a flaw in the impregnable wall created by the Flames and their goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, voted player of the match.

If it was a deserved victory for Sweden after 34 attempts on goal, only eight on target, Belgian players were naturally in tears after the final whistle. For their first appearance in a Euros quarter-final and boasting only eight professionals in the 23-player squad, it was a valiant and inspiring effort.

The next meeting for the women's national team is against Norway in Leuven on 2 September, a qualifying match for the next World Cup.

Photo: © Belga/David Catry