Luxembourg’s women’s national football team wrapped up their World Cup qualifying campaign in Group B4 with a resounding 7-0 defeat against Belgium at Escher Grenz. The match also marked the farewell appearance for long-serving players Amy Thompson and Andreia Machado, who were honoured before kick-off.
Luxembourg began the match with confidence, holding their own for the first 15 minutes and creating two clear chances to take the lead. In the fifth minute, Hannah Dietrich was denied by Belgium’s goalkeeper Nicky Evrard after a promising cross from Machado. Moments later, Laura Miller struck the crossbar from a corner, and Machado was unable to force the rebound over the line. However, Belgium gradually gained the upper hand. In the 15th minute, a dangerous shot from Tessa Wullaert was deflected, but just five minutes later, Wullaert volleyed home the opener. Despite falling behind, Luxembourg remained combative and limited Belgium’s attacking opportunities.
Belgium continued to push forward, with Janssens missing a good opportunity in the 24th minute and Wullaert hitting the crossbar with a free kick shortly after. These were Belgium’s last significant chances before half-time, until a lapse in Luxembourg’s defence allowed Tysiak to head home from a corner in the 45th minute, sending the visitors into the break with a 2-0 lead.
Following the restart, Belgium returned with determination and created a string of chances. Luxembourg goalkeeper Lucie Schlimé made an impressive save against Janssens in the 55th minute, but the pressure soon told. In front of 1,053 spectators, Belgium scored their third when Detruyer finished off a cross from Wullaert in the 61st minute. Luxembourg nearly pulled a goal back just three minutes later, but Dos Santos’s tame effort was easily stopped by Evrard.
Belgium, still chasing top spot in the group, continued to press and made it 4-0 through Tysiak in the 66th minute. As Luxembourg tired, defensive errors increased, but Schlimé produced a series of saves to keep the score in check, at least for a while.
Eight minutes from time, Eurlings added Belgium’s fifth, before Iliano and Eurlings scored twice in quick succession to make it 7-0. That would be the final scoreline at the whistle.
Luxembourg finish bottom of Group B4 without a point and are relegated to League C. Scotland won the group and secured promotion to League A, while Belgium and Israel finished second and third, respectively, and, alongside Scotland, will contest the play-offs for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
