Following a 1-0 defeat against Italy on Thursday, Belgium found itself in a challenging match against the world champions, Spain, as part of Group B in Euro 2025. The stakes were high, as Belgium could be eliminated if Italy triumphed over Portugal. Nonetheless, experienced striker Tessa Wullaert, 32, is known for breaking records and pushing through tough situations.
Currently positioned 20th in the world, Belgium’s women, known as the Red Frame, are competing in their third European Championship, and this marks their third consecutive appearance since 2017 and 2022. During the last tournament, they reached the quarterfinals, largely due to Wullaert’s leadership and goal-scoring prowess as the team captain.
In February, Wullaert had her team up 2-0 against Spain within 72 minutes during an international league match. If they had maintained that lead, it would have sent shockwaves across Europe. However, Spain equalized in the dying moments and secured a dramatic win at the 96-minute mark, leaving Belgium reeling.
The aftermath of that loss saw Belgium facing further defeats against Portugal and Britain. However, they regained their form in April with a historic 3-2 win over the Lionesses, showcasing Wullaert’s standout performance.
After a heavy 5-1 loss to Spain, Wullaert fired back with two goals in a 3-0 victory away against Portugal, propelling Belgium into third place in their international league group. As the team prepared for the Euros, she netted another goal in a friendly against Greece, bringing her total to 93 international goals.
“If you had asked me before I reached 93 goals if I could ever score 100 for my country, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Wullaert said from the Belgian training camp in Saillon. “I never aimed for specific targets, but now with 93 goals and 100 in sight, I’m definitely thinking about it.”
“I’ve never set targets. I just try to approach each game individually, but there’s a thrill in the idea of being the first Belgian player, male or female, to hit 100 goals.”
Wullaert has already made her mark in history. In 2016, she surpassed Alinzerer to become Belgium’s top scorer among women. By October 2024, she had tied the men’s record held by Romelu Lukaku with 85 goals, and she achieved her 86th against Ukraine shortly after, earning a golden boot from the Belgian FA as a celebration of her achievements.
Wullaert’s first international goal came against Russia in August 2011 while she was still at her club, SV Zulte Waregem. Though she also excelled in tennis, she opted for soccer, believing team sports suited her personality better. “I’m quite hard on myself, so individual sports weren’t my thing,” she admitted.
However, her pursuit of football came with sacrifices, including traveling multiple times a week while balancing her studies. After training sessions, she would even guide tours around Reuben to fulfill her educational commitments.
The underdeveloped state of women’s soccer in Belgium eventually led her to seek opportunities abroad. In 2015, she joined German powerhouse VFL Wolfsburg, where she quickly made an impact, winning two Bundesliga titles, three DFB Pokal cups, and reaching two UEFA Champions League finals in just three seasons, even while grappling with adjustments both on and off the pitch.
In 2018, her move to Manchester City separated her from her boyfriend and family for two years, yet she managed to excel, winning both the FA Cup and League Cup in her first season. She scored six goals in 31 matches in the Women’s Super League before transitioning to Fortunasittard. Between 2020 and 2024, she netted 108 league goals in just 84 matches.
Moving to Inter in 2024, she recorded 10 goals in 23 games and helped the team secure their best-ever finish in Serie A while also aiding their first-ever Champions League qualification.
“We (Belgium) have talent, but we need to come together as a unit and trust the game plan. Our focus should be on taking it one game at a time to see what we can achieve,” she commented. “This is only the third time in history we’ve reached the Euros, and we should take pride in qualifying in the first place.”
“By qualifying three times consecutively, we’ve set a new standard for Belgium, raising expectations for future tournaments. The Royal Belgian Football Association’s ‘World at Our Foot’ plan, introduced in 2019, has helped improve conditions for women’s football here.
“Coming home after tournaments can be unpredictable,” Wullaert noted. “During the last Euros, some areas in our hometowns had large screens set up for fans to watch the matches together. We’re not sure what this summer holds, but we hope for strong support from fans.”
“A lot has changed since then, making it hard to predict our journey this time. Our goal remains to win every match. With this mentality, anything is possible, even though we recognize the challenges ahead.”
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How Italy secured its first opening victory for the Euro since 2009
Examining the numbers behind Italy’s 1-0 win over Belgium in Euro 2025’s opening match.
The loss to Italy leaves Belgium reliant on Denmark in their match against Spain and Portugal, yet Wullaert remains optimistic about Belgium’s chances. “Anything can happen,” she emphasized. “People might think it’s easy since we defeated Portugal 3-0 last time, but every match poses its own challenges.”
It’s evident that if Belgium hopes to advance, Wullaert will play a crucial role in leading her team forward. “Being captain carries immense responsibility,” she concluded. “The players look to you during critical moments. We have a strong team with other leaders, and everyone is supportive on and off the pitch.”
“As an attacker, my role is to score and create goals. I performed well against Portugal last time, and I scored in my initial match against Spain.”
Belgium is in a unique position: as a smaller nation, they thrive in capturing attention yet also aim to compete with the top teams. “Belgium’s size allows us the chance to return home and spend quality time with family, unlike players from larger nations,” she reflected. “It’s crucial for both coaches and players.” This summer marks a busy time, often pulling players away from family, which makes these connections even more meaningful.
“At the same time, I want to maximize our potential and carry that mentality into every match. The competition is fierce, and focusing on our game is essential to avoid disappointing losses.”
“Team unity is key for success and progression. We demonstrated that against Portugal and during our tough matches against Spain. We know we can achieve this, but we must stand together as a cohesive group.”
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This news matters to soccer fans because it highlights the evolving landscape of women’s football, showcasing how players like Tessa Wullaert are breaking records and challenging norms. Wullaert’s quest for 100 international goals could inspire future generations and amplify interest in women’s soccer, emphasizing the importance of investment and support in the sport.
