Lauren James starred as England beat Iceland 2-0 at a sold-out Metropolis Floor to keep up their 100 per cent begin to their qualifying marketing campaign for the 2027 Ladies’s World Cup.
Lucy Bronze, profitable her 145th cap, opened the scoring with a looping header halfway via the primary half, the fitting again’s twenty second purpose for her nation.
The house aspect wanted a second-half Hannah Hampton marvel save to protect their slender lead, earlier than Georgia Stanway calmed the Lionesses’ nerves by volleying dwelling a second with 12 minutes to play.
Because of this, Sarina Wiegman’s aspect keep in first place in Group A3 forward of world champions Spain’s conflict with Ukraine in a while Saturday, with just one group qualifying routinely for the competitors in Brazil.
How England stayed prime of Group A3
Wiegman picked an attacking line-up for the second match of the qualifying marketing campaign within the information that purpose distinction may very well be essential, though Iceland proved far sterner opponents than Ukraine had in England’s first recreation on Tuesday when the guests scored six second-half objectives.
It took the hosts till the twenty second minute to make the breakthrough as James bought free down the left and picked out Bronze’s run to the again put up, though the Chelsea full again nonetheless had so much to do to beat Cecilia Runarsdottir with a header that floated into the far nook.
Lucy Bronze celebrates after giving England the lead in opposition to Iceland
England, going looking for a second purpose to offer them respiratory area, hit the put up twice earlier than half-time because the elusive James proved inconceivable to cease down the left – however the guests defended stubbornly to frustrate the European champions.
And have been it not for a world-class save from Hampton, who one way or the other dived full size to claw away Sandra Jessen’s header that appeared destined for the far nook, Iceland would have drawn degree on the hour mark.
Hildur Antonsdottir in motion with England’s Georgia Stanway and Jess Park
That scare awoke a listless England, with Stanway quickly doubling their lead with a well-struck volley into the underside nook having been discovered by Bronze’s cross from the right-hand byline for her thirty second worldwide purpose.
Nonetheless, England know that it will likely be their double header with Spain that may in the end determine whether or not they progress routinely to Brazil subsequent yr, or must face the uncertainty of the play-offs.
