Alessia Russo’s 21st-minute winner saw England stay on course for automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with a 1-0 victory over Iceland in Reykjavik.
Russo rifled England’s winner into the far-bottom left corner from Lauren Hemp’s pass on a quick breakaway attack to keep them top of League A3 with two matches left in the Qualifying League Phase, as they marked their 500th international fixture with a significant win over third-placed Iceland in the group.
Spain remain second and three points behind the Lionesses in the group after Edna Imade’s brace plus goals from Maria Mendez, Eva Navarro and Vicky Lopez saw the world champions cruise past rock-bottom Ukraine in a 5-0 win in Cordoba.
With automatic promotion in their own hands in the second half of the Qualifying League Phase after a clinical win at home to Spain, England made a bright start with an early corner which came to nothing.
Iceland however mounted a resilient defensive display akin to their efforts in the away fixture in Nottingham last month, which saw them make numerous blocks to frustrate the Lionesses and in particularly Hemp whose 17th-minute shot was blocked.
The hosts eventually mounted a rare attack forward in the 21st minute which was quickly intercepted and worked out to Hemp, who drove forward and found Russo on her right to smash her shot low into the far-left corner to put the Lionesses into a deserved lead.
Alex Greenwood then saw a 28th-minute shot saved by Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir, before the Icelandic goalkeeper denied Russo just ten minutes later as England’s push for a second goal was resisted by an organised Iceland defence until half time.
Iceland turned up their attacking intensity early in the second half with a number of free-kicks which failed to trouble England too much, as Hannah Hampton made some crucial but comfortable saves to protect the Lionesses’ lead.
The first proper clear-cut chance of the second half eventually fell England’s way in the 68th minute as Russo cut back towards Georgia Stanway, but the midfielder smashed her shot high over the bar before she again put another shot over just five minutes later.
England however received a slice of serious luck at the opposite end deep inside the 79th minute after Dija Zomers dragged her shot from a cutback pass narrowly wide of the far-bottom right corner and off the post.
Hampton then denied Alexandra Johannsdottir three minutes later as Iceland continued to pile on the pressure, yet England stood firm to clinch another single-goal victory and leave automatic qualification in their own hands with two matches left in the group.
What’s Next?
Iceland meet Ukraine in Mielec, Poland, on Friday 5 June in a crucial clash as both teams battle to avoid relegation to League B for the next edition of UEFA Women’s Nations League.
England visit Spain in a crunch qualifier in Malaga on the above date in the knowledge that a win would see them secure automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament.
Teams
Iceland: Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir, Gudrun Arnardottir, Glodis Perla Viggosdottir, Ingibjorg Sigurdardóttir, Sædis Run Heidarsdottir (Halldorsdottir 61′), Ida Marin Hermannsdottir (Antonsdottir 61′), Alexandra Johannsdottir, Emilia Kjaer Asgeirsdottir (Tryggvadottir 70′), Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir, Linda Lif Boama (Jessen 61′), Dija Zomers (Eiriksdottir 86′)
Substitutes: Hildur Antonsdottir, Fanney Inga Birisdottir, Hlin Eiriksdottir, Arna Eiriksdottir, Birta Georgsdottir, Hafrun Halldorsdottir, Sandra Maria Jessen, Thelma Palmadottir, Katla Tryggvadottir, Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir, Telma Ivarsdottir, Maria Catharina Olafsd Gros
England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson (Wubben-Moy 46′), Esme Morgan (Carter 89′), Alex Greenwood (Charles 78′), Laura Blindkilde Brown (Park 63′), Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Lauren James (Mead 63′)
Substitutes: Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Taylor Hinds, Chloe Kelly, Lucia Kendall, Maya Le Tissier, Beth Mead, Anna Moorhouse, Jess Park, Erica Meg Parkinson, Ellie Roebuck, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Referee – Michalina Diakow (Poland)
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