2027 Women's WCQ: England Women beat Iceland 2

England Women beat Iceland Women 2-0 at The City Ground to maintain 100 percent start to their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The Sarina Wiegman’s side stay in first place in Group A3 ahead of world champions Spain who clashed with Ukraine later on Saturday.

Only one team will qualify from Group A3 automatically for the competition in Brazil.

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.

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.

“I’m totally not frustrated at the moment, happy with the performance and camp.

“Two games, six points. I think Iceland is a very disciplined team, lots of power, compact, and very hard to break down,” England manager Sarina Wiegman, adding that the Lionesses want to score more goals.

Accordingnto her, the team created lots of big chances with good football and could have scored more goals in the game.

“Hannah made a great save which was crucial then we scored. We want to score more goals but the win and clean sheet makes me happy.

“Overall, I’m happy with the camp. It helps when you get the six points. The team worked really hard on the pitch improving as a team and as individuals,” Wiegman said.

Lauren James made a return to the team in what could be tagged her best game since coming back from injury.

“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.”

A fit and firing James could be a difference maker not just next weekend but in the FA Cup and Champions League for the WSL champions Chelsea.

“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,” England defender Lucy Bronze, said, adding “I’m really proud to represent my country so many times.”

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