The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Friday, March 13, 2026

Back to home page

Two out of two for England  

England 2 (Bronze 22, Stanway 78) Iceland 0

The Lionesses maintained their flawless start to FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 European qualifying with a solid 2-0 victory over Iceland at a sold out City Ground in Nottingham.

Goals from Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway secured all three points in League A, Group 3, taking England to six points from two matches following their emphatic win over Ukraine during the week.

Bronze marked her 145th cap – moving her into third place in the all-time England appearance rankings – by opening the scoring with a powerful header in the 22nd minute. Lauren James was the architect, delivering a precise cross from the left that Bronze met emphatically in the centre of the box for her 22nd international goal.

England dominated the first half, with James causing constant problems on the wing. Early on, she set up Alessia Russo, whose cross was narrowly missed by Lauren Hemp under pressure from the Iceland defence. Hemp then headed against the bar from another James delivery, before Bronze struck the post with a header ten minutes after her opener.

James and Russo combined neatly, with the former firing a shot well saved by Iceland goalkeeper Ceciliá Rúnarsdóttir. Russo herself tested Rúnarsdóttir with a late first half effort following a clever one-two with Jess Park.

The second half followed a similar pattern, as England kept the pressure on. James and Stanway had shots blocked, while Hemp curled an effort just wide. James continued to shine, forcing another save from Rúnarsdóttir.

Iceland offered occasional threats on the counter, with Hannah Hampton producing a stunning close range save to deny Maria Jessen's header and preserve England's lead.

The Lionesses finally doubled their advantage with just over ten minutes remaining. Bronze turned provider this time, whipping in an excellent cross from the right to find Stanway, who volleyed home superbly from just outside the six yard area for her side's second goal.

The result underlined England's control throughout, despite Iceland's disciplined defending and moments of danger.

Attention now turns to April's crucial clash with world champions Spain, as Sarina Wiegman's side aim to stay atop the group on the road to Brazil 2027.

England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Taylor Hinds, Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson, Esme Morgan, Lauren James (sub Chloe Kelly 75mins), Georgia Stanway (sub Lucia Kendall 90mins), Alessia Russo, Jess Park (sub Laura Blindkilde Brown 83mins), Lauren Hemp. Subs not used: Anna Moorhouse, Ellie Roebuck, Jess Carter, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Maya Le Tissier, Poppy Pattinson, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones, Freya Godfrey.

Iceland: Ceciliá Rúnarsdóttir, Sandra Maria Jessen, Glodis Viggósdóttir, Ingibjorg Sigurdardóttir, Karolina Vilhjalmsdóttir (sub Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir 63mins), Hlin Eiriksdóttir (sub Maria Olafsdóttir Grós 45mins), Hildur Antonsdóttir (sub Berglind Ros Agustsdóttir 88mins), Ida Hermannsdóttir (sub Emilia Asgeirsdóttir 63mins), Gudrun Arnardóttir, Saedis Heidarsdóttir, Sveindis Jane Jónsdóttir (sub Dilja Zomers 76mins). Subs not used: Fanney Birkisdóttir, Telma Ivarsdóttir, Elin Karlsdóttir, Karitas Tomasdóttir, Birta Georgsdóttir, Hafrun Halldorsdóttir, Thelma Palmadóttir.   

 

@en