The Red Flames defeated Poland 1-0 in Leuven on Friday, October 9, 2026, in the first leg of their opening European play-off round for a 2027 World Cup ticket, Sporza reported. Elena Dhont scored the winning goal just before halftime following a missed penalty by Tessa Wullaert and a saved penalty by Belgian goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve.
Lowiese Seynhaeve Stops Ewa Pajor Penalty
Lowiese Seynhaeve preserved the slim Belgian advantage in the 57th minute by denying a low penalty shot from Polish captain Ewa Pajor. Referee Emanuela Rusta pointed to the spot after Sari Kees pulled down Wiktoria Dudek inside the penalty area. Earlier in the match, Seynhaeve also kept her team in the game during a first-half spell where Poland controlled possession.
Elena Dhont Scores Opening Goal After Tessa Wullaert Penalty Miss
Tessa Wullaert squandered a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 33rd minute when her weak penalty kick was stopped by Polish goalkeeper Kinga Seweryn, following a VAR review for a foul on Elena Dhont. However, Wullaert made amends in the third minute of stoppage time in the first half by delivering a precise pass into the path of Dhont. Dhont struck the ball in one motion to find the back of the net and put Belgium ahead.
Tensions and Missed Chances Define the Second Leg Setup
Both teams failed to capitalize on subsequent scoring opportunities as the match progressed in Leuven. Wullaert broke free on goal in the 89th minute but once again lost her duel against Seweryn, while Dhont saw two close-range attempts blocked by the Polish keeper in the closing minutes. The narrow victory leaves the Red Flames with a 1-0 margin heading into the return leg.
Upcoming Match in Gdansk Decides Next Opponent
The return leg takes place on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Gdansk, Poland. The winner of this two-legged playoff tie advances to face either Ireland or Kazakhstan in the decisive qualification round for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Play-Offs
How did Belgium reach this playoff stage?
The Red Flames earned their spot in the play-offs by finishing second in their group in the B-divisie of the qualifiers, trailing group winner Scotland.
What happens if the Red Flames win this playoff tie against Poland?
If Belgium defeats Poland across both legs, they will advance to face the winner of the tie between Ireland and Kazakhstan for a spot at the 2027 World Cup.