England's Narrow Victory Over Iceland Keeps World Cup Dream Alive
Sarina Wiegman, the manager of the England women's national team, emphasized the importance of staying focused after England secured a narrow 1-0 win over Iceland. This victory allowed them to maintain a three-point lead over Spain at the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Alessia Russo scored the decisive goal in the 21st minute, marking her 30th goal for the Lionesses during their 500th match. The match showcased the resilience of Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who made crucial saves during a second-half onslaught from the Icelandic side in Reykjavik. This win positions England favorably as they prepare to face World Cup holders Spain and Ukraine in June, with only group winners advancing directly to the World Cup in Brazil, avoiding the risk of a playoff. Wiegman remarked, “The most important thing is we have 12 points, which is really good. There’s no easy game anymore. We don’t take anything for granted.” She expressed contentment with their current standing but acknowledged the challenges ahead. Alessia Russo reflected on the match, describing it as a “tough game of two halves” and praised Hampton for her performance, stating, “She was amazing. She kept us in it and showed up three or four times to give us that clean sheet and keep the three points.” As players return to club duties, Wiegman and the squad look forward to their critical matches in June.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-18