Vivianne Miedema was a second-half sub for Netherlands but was forced off shortly after with what appeared to be a knock of some sort.
The City striker took just seven minutes to find the net after being introduced on 62 minutes, but was then herself substituted eight minutes later as the Dutch beat Austria 3-1 in UEFA Women’s Nations League Group 1.
It was Miedema’s 97th goal for her country, but her withdrawal will be a huge concern to Nick Cushing ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend.
Team-mate Kerstin Casparij started the game, but was substituted at the break and City boss Cushing will be keen to discover how both his players are and whether Casparij’s change was tactical or not.
Laura Wienroither played the full 90 minutes for the Austrians who had led through Hickelsberger’s early goal on nine minutes – but within 60 seconds Kaptein had levelled for Netherlands with van de Donk (57) and Miedema (69) sealing a 3-1 win.
Jill Roord did not feature and was not on the bench.
The win leaves The Oranje level on points with leaders Germany.
Jess Park was the only City player in action for England against Belgium.
The Red Devils started the game at the foot of League A Group 3 having lost all of their three matches to date.
But the formbook was well and truly turned upside down as the Belgians raced into a 3-0 lead inside the first half-hour at the King Power at Den Dreef Stadion.
Two goals from former City forward Tessa Wullaert with another from Vanhaevermaet sandwiched in-between left Sarina Wiegman’s side stunned.
Beth Mead pulled one back before the break and Park’s replacement Michelle Agyemang scored the Lionesses’ second moments after coming on, but the home side held on to win 3-2.
Leila Ouahabi and Laia Aleixandri both started Spain’s Nations League clash with Portugal.
Again, there was a half-time change for a City player with Ouahabi withdrawn at the break, though again this could have been a tactical switch with the Spanish 4-0 up at that stage.
Goals from Salma Paralluelo, Aitana Bonmatí (2) and Alexia Putellas effectively ended the game as a contest by half-time with Mariona Caldentey adding a fifth two minutes after the restart and Putellas scoring her second on 51.
Esther González wrapped up the scoring for La Roja on the hour mark to make it 7-0 before the Portuguese scored a late consolation through Beatriz Fonseca as the Spanish moved to the top of England’s group.
Watch Nick Cushing’s Friday press conference to discover the fitness and availability of all our players ahead of the derby from 14:30 (UK).
Meanwhile, City youngsters Eve Annets and Lily Murphy both featured in England U19s 10-0 victory away to Ukraine in the UEFA Women’s U19 EURO second qualifying round.
Annets played the full 90 minutes in goal and claimed a deserved clean sheet, while Murphy was a second half sub, coming on with 56 played when the young Lionesses were already eight goals to the good.
The U19s have already secured their place in this summer’s finals in Poland.
