Alessia Russo netted the only goal as England marked their 500th fixture with a 1-0 victory over Iceland in Reykjavik this evening.
Captained by the returning Leah Williamson, the Lionesses held their nerve to pick up three more points on the road to qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
In a classic game of two halves at the Laugardalsvöllur Stadium, Iceland’s compact defending in the first half made it incredibly difficult for England to find their rhythm. In the second half, Hannah Hampton shone for England as she pulled off some spectacular saves to seal the Lionesses’ victory, despite intense pressure from the home side as the clock ticked down.
Similar to the reverse fixture at The City Ground last month, the opening goal came around the 20-minute mark. After receiving the ball from Lauren Hemp, Russo produced a neat turn away from her defender and fired into the bottom corner of the net.
The first half was something of a defensive masterclass from Iceland with their only attacking chance of the half coming through Dilja Zomers just before half-time. Unfortunately, the SK Brann forward wasn’t expecting the ball to fall at her feet and she sent it wide of the mark.
After the break, there was a visible shift in energy from Iceland who immediately applied the pressure on the visitors that had been missing in the first half. However, despite multiple opportunities in front of goal, England’s defence held firm and they just couldn’t find a way through.
England had their most clear-cut opportunity around the 70-minute mark when Russo’s quick-fire cross found Beth Mead in the box but keeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir was there to deny the Lionesses from extending their lead.
As the clock wore down, moments after Sandra Jessen’s initial attempt on goal had been flagged for offside, a chaotic moment of pinball left the Icelandic team and fans astounded as to how they hadn’t equalised. Sveindís Jónsdóttir, who had been kept fairly quiet in this match, managed to beat Lotte Wubben-Moy on the wing to deliver a lovely cross into the box to find Jessen. The forward’s half-volley hit the post before Zomers sent in a rebound strike. Luckily, Hampton was there again to block with her outstretched leg before the ball was finally cleared away by Niamh Charles.
Up until the end of additional time, Iceland kept fighting for the equaliser and will feel aggrieved that they didn’t take anything after their much-improved second half performance.
England currently top their qualification group with four wins out of four. The Lionesses complete their qualification campaign with fixtures against Spain and Ukraine in June.
