Goals from Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway made it two wins from two in England’s attempt to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, with attention now turning to a hugely important game against Spain at Wembley in April.
England’s aim of avoiding the playoffs by securing top spot in their World Cup qualifying group was never going to be derailed by Ukraine and Iceland. The game against Ukraine in Turkey was a straightforward affair, once they had found their rhythm in the second half to earn a 6-1 win, and at the City Ground in Nottingham, while Iceland are a higher-ranked side than Ukraine, the Lionesses were still overwhelmingly comfortable.
It is the two games against Spain that all have their eyes on, rematches of the Euro 2025 and 2023 World Cup finals, with one of those two sides laden with world-class players destined for a four-game playoff run.
Sarina Wiegman made three changes to the starting XI from Tuesday night’s game in Antalya, with Esme Morgan partnering Leah Williamson at the back instead of Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lauren James returned to the starting XI and Bronze resuming her position at right-back in place of Maya Le Tissier. It was Bronze’s 145th appearance for England, taking her clear of Karen Carney and into third in the Lionesses’ all-time appearance list behind Jill Scott (161) and Fara Williams (172).
The effect of the very familiar and strong starting XI and the benefits of an 11-day international break behind them was evident. The Lionesses were slick and the movement and passing between Stanway, James and Alessia Russo on England’s left was a particular highlight. It was no surprise that the opening goal came from that fruitful movement out wide.
They had already shown their threat from the left, with Lauren Hemp first unable to connect with Russo’s ball at full stretch then meeting James’s cross in from a similar position but seeing her header come back off a post.
The breakthrough arrived soon after, in the 22nd minute. Stanway’s neat pass found an overlapping James and the Chelsea forward swept it towards the back post where her club-mate Bronze was on hand to head home.
Despite failing to fully capitalise on their dominance, with 31 shots to one, 71% possession throughout and 45 touches in the opposition box to two, England were not troubled defensively. The visiting team’s best and only chance arrived at the hour mark as a note of caution, with Hannah Hampton making a smart save from Sandra Jessen’s header after she rose highest to meet a deflected cross.
There was little need for nerves given their dominance but the goal that gave England a cushion was a welcome one and a fine one, Bronze turning provider, sending a cross into the box from the right that Stanway turned in on the volley. It was the Bayern Munich midfielder’s eighth goal in five games for England and she has begun the season in excellent form before a summer of change, with her contract in Munich coming to an end, departure announced and a move back to the Women’s Super League expected. She was given a loud ovation when she exited in added time for Lucia Kendall, the significance of her role not going unnoticed.
Spain are up next for England, before they travel to Iceland for their fourth of six games, and on the basis of this camp they can be full of confidence. This is a team that is really beginning to rediscover its groove.
