Northern Ireland Women succumb to Belgium after red card

Blegium beat Norther Ireland 4-1
Tessa Wullaert is brought down by Jackie Burns. (Photo: DAVID CATRY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Northern Ireland conceded three late goals after the dismissal of keeper Jackie Burns to go down 4-1 in Belgium.

Kenny Shiels’ side played the last 20 minutes of the friendly in Lier with 10 players, the game level at 1-1 until the final 10 minutes.

Shiels’ side started brightly and Belgium keeper Nicky Evrard had to be on her toes to claw out a cross-cum-shot from Kirsty McGuinness, while Lauren Wade scuffed a shot wide.

Abbie Magee produced a superb covering tackle to stop Hannah Eurlings but Belgium took the lead in the 24th minute, Laura De Neve’s defence-splitting pass leading to Davina Philtjens setting up Tessa Wullaert to finish.

Kirsty McGuinness went close to levelling before the break but soon won the ball on the edge of the area for Wade to fire home.

Burns dived full length to push away a shot from Tine De Caigny but was sent off when she clattered into Wullaert just outside the area.

Belgium 4-1 Northern Ireland
Laura Rafferty and Elena Dhont fight for the ball. (Photo: DAVID CATRY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Belgium regained the lead on 82 minutes, substitute Ella Van Kerkhoven got on the end of a Elena Dhont cross to powerfully headed home past Becky Flaherty.

Wullaert then scored from outside the box and later forced Flaherty into a save, only for the the rebound to go in off Laura Rafferty into the net.

This was Northern Ireland’s last match before they take on Norway in the Euros at Southampton on 7 July.

Other international results

Bulgaria 0-2 Israel (World Cup Qualifier)
Austria 4-0 Montenegro
Bangladesh 6-0 Malaysia
Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-3 Philippines
Morocco 0-0 Ivory Coast
Portugal 4-0 Greece
Senegal 3-0 Guinea-Bissau
Singapore 0-4 Hong Kong
Uruguay 5-0 Bolivia

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