Fans have questioned Belgium for replacing their goalkeeper just two minutes before Netherlands scored the crucial gone to finish ahead of England in their Nations League group.
England ran rampant with a 6-0 victory over Scotland on Tuesday night, and for periods of the evening it looked like they would finish ahead of the Netherlands in their group.
However, the Netherlands scored twice in stoppage-time to finish ahead of them – denying England a place in the Nations League finals and also an Olympic spot for Team GB next summer.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Netherlands were 3-0 up and needing another goal, as Belgium replaced Brighton keeper Nicky Evrard for Diede Lemey who plays for Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Damaris Egurrola scored the vital goal for the Dutch in the fifth minute of stoppage time – after, Vivianne Miedema initially looked to have claimed it. Belgium’s decision to make the late substitute has raised questioning on social media among fans.
Damaris Egurrola (centre left) scored the vital goal to send the Netherlands into the Nations League finals in the fifth minute of stoppage time
It denied England a spot in the finals despite their 6-0 win over Scotland, as well as a place for Team GB at next summer’s Olympics
Fans have criticised Belgium – who lost 4-0 to the Dutch – for replacing starting keeper Nicky Evrard (right) in stoppage time two minutes before Diede Lemy (left) conceded
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One fan wrote in all capital letters: ‘Belgium subbed their goalkeeper right before the goal what the f***.’
Another user tweeted: ‘Tell me this just wasn’t Belgium just letting them have the fourth & important goal by subbing their keeper in the last few minutes then, I dare you.’
One England fan said they ‘knew’ the Lionesses were ‘done’ when Belgium subbed their goalkeeper.
Another person commented: ‘I wonder why Belgium change goalkeeper.’
However, one user posted that the change was due to starting keeper Evrard coming off with an injury.
They wrote: ‘Rough for Belgium. Nicky Evrard was subbed out in injury time because she was hurt. The Netherlands then go and immediately score on the new keeper in the 95′ minute.’
Netherlands’ 4-0 victory meant England’s 6-0 win over Scotland – courtesy of a Lauren James brace and goals from Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Lucy Bronze – was not enough for the Lionesses.
England did not lose the chance of Olympic qualification here. They lost it in Belgium, where poor defending saw them succumb to a 3-2 defeat.
Fans shared their ire on social media as some called into question the Belgian decision
They also lost it in the Netherlands, where a lapse in concentration saw the Dutch earn a late 2-1 victory.
‘I’m very, very disappointed,’ said a dejected Wiegman. ‘That’s the biggest emotion I have now. I think we delivered tonight. The team showed lots of character.
‘When Lucy scored that goal I thought “we can get this”, but that’s football. The Netherlands scored a late goal and that’s how close it was. We were waiting, those were long minutes.
‘We really thought we got it. I actually didn’t know what to say [to the players] because I’m really proud of this performance, but we’re not through and I’m very disappointed.’