The Red Flames meant business. They needed to score 10 goals, or the A league and an easier path to the World Cup next summer would only exist in their dreams. For a moment, they all believed it when Eurlings scored in the 10th minute and, nine minutes later, Tessa Wullaert, the player who had been handed her sixth Golden Shoe before the match scored as well. But then Luxembourg defended their goal well, while the Flames missed opportunity after opportunity, until the whistle for half-time.
The second half had barely begun when Tessa scored her second goal of the match. There was still hope, but they still couldn’t get the ball between the posts and into the net until the 66th minute, when Tessa scored her third goal and completed her hat-trick. Still no celebration from Belgium, who simply sprinted back with the ball to the spot.
Jill Janssens tried to give the team a bit of extra fire and hope and scored in the 74th and 76th minute, making it 5–0 and 6–0, but that wasn’t enough to overtake Scotland. A big win for the Red Flames, but no smiles on the players’ faces.
The promotion to the A-league will remain a dream for now, since they dropped into the B-league after losing 6–3 on aggregate to the Republic of Ireland last October. The last match will be played next week to determine the final ranking of the group and which path they will need to take to reach the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
