Bronze And Stanway Fire England Past Iceland In Women’s World Cup Qualifier

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Goals from Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway made it 2 wins from 2 successful England’s bid to suffice for nan 2027 World Cup, pinch attraction now turning to a hugely important crippled against Spain astatine Wembley successful April.

England’s purpose of avoiding nan playoffs by securing apical spot successful their World Cup qualifying group was ne'er going to beryllium derailed by Ukraine and Iceland. The crippled against Ukraine successful Turkey was a straightforward affair, erstwhile they had recovered their hit successful nan 2nd half to earn a 6-1 win, and astatine nan City Ground successful Nottingham, while Iceland are a higher-ranked broadside than Ukraine, nan Lionesses were still overwhelmingly comfortable.

It is nan 2 games against Spain that each person their eyes on, rematches of nan Euro 2025 and 2023 World Cup finals, pinch 1 of those 2 sides laden pinch world-class players destined for a four-game playoff run.

Sarina Wiegman made 3 changes to nan starting XI from Tuesday night’s crippled successful Antalya, pinch Esme Morgan partnering Leah Williamson astatine nan backmost alternatively of Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lauren James returned to nan starting XI and Bronze resuming her position astatine right-back successful spot of Maya Le Tissier. It was Bronze’s 145th quality for England, taking her clear of Karen Carney and into 3rd successful nan Lionesses’ all-time quality database down Jill Scott (161) and Fara Williams (172).

The effect of nan very acquainted and beardown starting XI and nan benefits of an 11-day world break down them was evident. The Lionesses were slick and nan activity and passing betwixt Stanway, James and Alessia Russo connected England’s near was a peculiar highlight. It was nary astonishment that nan opening extremity came from that fruitful activity retired wide.

They had already shown their threat from nan left, pinch Lauren Hemp first incapable to link pinch Russo’s shot astatine afloat agelong past gathering James’s transverse successful from a akin position but seeing her header travel backmost disconnected a post.

Lucy Bronze fires England up astatine nan City Ground

The breakthrough arrived soon after, successful nan 22nd minute. Stanway’s neat walk recovered an overlapping James and nan Chelsea guardant swept it towards nan backmost station wherever her club-mate Bronze was connected manus to caput home.

Despite failing to afloat capitalise connected their dominance, pinch 31 shots to one, 71% possession passim and 45 touches successful nan guidance container to two, England were not troubled defensively. The visiting team’s champion and only chance arrived astatine nan hr people arsenic a statement of caution, pinch Hannah Hampton making a smart prevention from Sandra Jessen’s header aft she roseate highest to meet a deflected cross.

There was small request for nerves fixed their power but nan extremity that gave England a cushion was a invited 1 and a good one, Bronze turning provider, sending a transverse into nan container from nan correct that Stanway turned successful connected nan volley. It was nan Bayern Munich midfielder’s eighth extremity successful 5 games for England and she has begun nan play successful fantabulous shape earlier a summertime of change, pinch her statement successful Munich coming to an end, departure announced and a move backmost to nan Women’s Super League expected. She was fixed a large ovation erstwhile she exited successful added clip for Lucia Kendall, nan value of her domiciled not going unnoticed.

Spain are up adjacent for England, earlier they recreation to Iceland for their 4th of six games, and connected nan ground of this campy they tin beryllium afloat of confidence. This is simply a squad that is really opening to rediscover its groove.