Elisabet Gunnarsdottir praises the Flames' momentum against Poland

Under the lights of the Leuven stadium, the Belgian national team of the Red Flames beat Poland 1‑0 in the first round of the World Cup qualifying playoffs, under the guidance of Icelandic coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, who expressed her relief at the end of the match on Friday.

Dominant Statistics

The Sports Football Red Flames Analysis segment highlighted that Belgium dominated possession with 52.1 % and created seventeen chances, eleven of them on target, despite the opponent being a small nation. This control of the game allowed the Red Flames to keep their goal untouched, thus providing a valuable clean‑sheet in the first World Cup match. The statistical report reinforces the image of a football team that is aggressive and efficient from the opening minutes.

Coach's Analysis

During the press conference, Icelandic coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir said: “I am satisfied, pleased with the performance and the result even though we can always want more given all the chances created, especially in the second half,” she affirmed. She added that the psychological edge was slightly on their side, citing the first fifteen minutes as “excellent” for the team. Nathalie Dumont, who covers the Red Flames, noted that the coach emphasized the need to stay brave even when the score remains tight.

Elena Dhont scored her fifth international goal, winning a penalty that was converted, while Lowiese Seynhaeve, in her second start, saved another penalty, ensuring defensive solidity. The two most recent starters in the eleven, Detruyer and Seynhaeve, proved decisive, one progressing throughout the match, the other making several crucial saves. This collective performance confirmed the Flames’ ability to create chances even with a slight lead on the scoreboard.

“We have spent a lot of time evaluating the goalkeepers and seeing where they are currently, not just their past performances,” explained the coach, recalling the “goalkeeper problem” mentioned in the briefing. Lowiese, on a good run, played very well according to Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, who highlighted the difficulty of choosing the starter among so many talents. The staff acknowledged that the real issue is not to find a goalkeeper, but to decide who to rely on for the upcoming matches.

Red Flames set sights on Poland for World Cup qualification

The coach indicated that the trio Seynhaeve, Evrard and Lemey could be easily complemented by Femke Maes, available for every match. She also mentioned Alyssa Van de Poel, playing at Anderlecht, and Aude Waldbillig as additional options for the position. This abundance of choices reflects the “luxury problem” that Belgium experiences in the goalkeeper department.

Marie Detruyer was started for her composure with the ball and her ability to play on the right side, meeting the needs for game control. Elisabet Gunnarsdottir recalled that Luna Vanzeir is delivering strong performances in Bremen, strengthening the squad’s depth. The staff continues to assess the ten outfield positions, benefiting from the high level of available players.

The second leg is scheduled in Gdansk on Tuesday, giving Belgium an opportunity to consolidate its psychological edge. This decisive encounter of the second round of the World Cup playoffs will be crucial for qualification. The Flames will approach the away match with confidence boosted by the first‑match victory.

Inefficient Red Flames win narrowly against Poland thanks to Seynhaeve

According to Nathalie Dumont, the recent rise of the Red Flames in recent weeks stems from the numerous overseas transfers made this summer, a phenomenon that is reflected on the pitch. The development of women's football in the Mons‑Borinage‑Centre region benefits from this momentum, as highlighted by the Sports section of the daily. This progress promises to strengthen Belgium’s presence on the international stage at the upcoming World Cup.