England Edges Past Iceland as Russo Shines in Women's World Cup Qualifier

England Edges Past Iceland as Russo Shines in Women's World Cup Qualifier

England secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Iceland in Reykjavík, keeping their hopes alive for automatic qualification to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The win maintained a crucial three-point lead over Spain in Group A3, with only the top four teams in League A avoiding playoffs. Manager Sarina Wiegman made minimal changes to the lineup that triumphed against Spain, opting for a more familiar squad despite Iceland's lower ranking. The match saw Leah Williamson return from injury, while Laura Blindkilde Brown was introduced to bolster the midfield. Despite dominating possession with over 70% in the first half, England struggled to break through Iceland's resolute defense. The lone goal came from a well-executed counterattack, where Lauren Hemp assisted Alessia Russo, who skillfully placed a low shot past Cecilia Runarsdottir. The second half saw Iceland press for an equalizer, creating several chances, but Hannah Hampton was instrumental in preserving the lead with key saves, including a brilliant stop from Sandra Jessen and a follow-up effort from Dilja Zomers. While England aimed to improve their goal difference ahead of their crucial match against Spain in June, the focus remained on the vital three points gained in a challenging away fixture.

Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-18