England 2-0 Iceland: Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway on scoresheet in Women's World Cup qualifier

Lauren James starred as England beat Iceland 2-0 at a sold-out City Ground to maintain their 100 per cent start to their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

Lucy Bronze, winning her 145th cap, opened the scoring with a looping header midway through the first half, the right back's 22nd goal for her country.

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The home side needed a second-half Hannah Hampton wonder save to preserve their slender lead, before Georgia Stanway calmed the Lionesses' nerves by volleying home a second with 12 minutes to play.

As a result, Sarina Wiegman's side stay in first place in Group A3 ahead of world champions Spain's clash with Ukraine later on Saturday, with only one team qualifying automatically for the competition in Brazil.

How England stayed top of Group A3

Wiegman picked an attacking line-up for the second match of the qualifying campaign in the knowledge that goal difference could be crucial, although Iceland proved far sterner opponents than Ukraine had in England's first game on Tuesday when the visitors scored six second-half goals.

It took the hosts until the 22nd minute to make the breakthrough as James got free down the left and picked out Bronze's run to the back post, although the Chelsea full back still had a lot to do to beat Cecilia Runarsdottir with a header that floated into the far corner.

England, going in search of a second goal to give them breathing space, hit the post twice before half-time as the elusive James proved impossible to stop down the left - but the visitors defended stubbornly to frustrate the European champions.

And were it not for a world-class save from Hampton, who somehow dived full length to claw away Sandra Jessen's header that seemed destined for the far corner, Iceland would have drawn level on the hour mark.

That scare woke up a listless England, with Stanway soon doubling their lead with a well-struck volley into the bottom corner having been found by Bronze's cross from the right-hand byline for her 32nd international goal.

However, England know that it will be their double header with Spain that will ultimately decide whether they progress automatically to Brazil next year, or have to face the uncertainty of the play-offs.

Wiegman: We want to score more goals

England manager Sarina Wiegman to ITV Sport:

"An important win. I think we played well, we know they're very disciplined, very powerful and really dangerous on the counter.

"For the most part, we took that out so they didn't become dangerous. They had that one chance where Hannah Hampton did really well.

"Overall, we showed some good football. Of course, we want to score more goals but it starts with winning the game, and we created so many chances. If we're so dominant, we'd like to score more goals.

"What you saw on Tuesday against Ukraine, and now Iceland they're just so disciplined in defence, it's really hard to break through. If I look at the development of the team, how do we do better in the final third? Even from Tuesday to today, I saw some things we added."

James: Always nice being back in this shirt

England forward Lauren James to ITV Sport:

"I really enjoyed it. It's always nice being back in this shirt after being out for a while. Whenever I cut in I always know Lucy [Bronze] is back post and I can dink it back to her. She is good at using her head.

"It is always a good game against them [Spain], two quality sides, and we look forward to it."

Bronze: I'm really proud to represent my country so many times

England defender Lucy Bronze to ITV Sport:

"It's really nice to get the extra cap past Karen Carney, a huge Lioness legend and to be behind Fara Williams and Jill Scott. The three of them are close friends of mine, team-mates from the past, I'm just really proud to represent my country so many times.

"We remember the last game we played against them [Spain] at Wembley, the atmosphere was incredible. It was a tight game and I think we're all looking forward to it and I'm sure the Spanish girls are as well."

'James' best game since coming back from injury'

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:

This was arguably Lauren James' best game since coming back from injury, which great for both England and Chelsea.

The WSL champions are in the League Cup final a week on Sunday, a fit and firing James could be a difference maker not just next weekend but in the FA Cup and Champions League too.

As for Georgia Stanway, the No 8 can't stop scoring for England, while it was also an assist and a goal for Bronze on the day the right back rose to No 3 on England's all-time appearance makers.

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