England secured a 2-0 victory over Iceland, marking back-to-back wins to kick off their Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Lionesses’ commanding performance at the City Ground saw Lucy Bronze open the scoring, a fitting tribute on her 145th cap, which places her third in the all-time appearance rankings for the national side.
Sarina Wiegman’s squad dominated the first half, creating numerous opportunities that could have seen them establish a more significant lead than the narrow 1-0 advantage they held at the break.
Despite their overwhelming possession and 31 shots throughout the match, England lacked the clinical finishing touch that saw them net six goals against Ukraine just four days prior.
Iceland, largely on the defensive, managed only one shot on target, a moment of concern for the hosts when Hannah Hampton was forced to deny Sandra Jessen an equaliser on the hour mark.
However, England eventually doubled their lead through Georgia Stanway’s 32nd international goal, securing the result and maintaining their perfect start to the qualifiers in front of a sold-out Nottingham crowd.
A rather messy exchange between goalkeeper Cecilia Runarsdottir and Glodis Viggosdottir gave England their first sighter, but Alessia Russo hit a tame effort straight into the hands of the keeper.
Lauren Hemp then found Russo with a pinpoint cross, but the striker guided her attempt into the grasp of Runarsdottir from close range.
Lauren James was causing issues on the left side and she almost supplied the first goal as she whipped a delivery onto the head of Hemp, who nodded onto the post.
Iceland were living dangerously and England made their quality count with the opener in the 22nd minute. James supplied a floated ball into the middle, and Bronze headed home into the far corner.
England were keen for more and Iceland were simply unable to live with Bronze in the air. She was first to get her head to a corner at the back post but was denied by Runarsdottir this time.
The home side ought to have had more than one goal to show for their complete first-half dominance; this time, Hemp failed to divert a cross from Russo on target before James saw a shot from range saved by the busy Runarsdottir.
Iceland could not handle the quality of James, who easily had the beating of Maria Olafsdottir Gros and saw her cross flicked by Russo into the path of Bronze, who nodded wide.
The trend of relentless England attack did not stop in the second period either, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would double their advantage. James and Russo forced Runarsdottir into making more saves, albeit in an easy fashion.
Hampton had nothing to do for an hour but needed to be alert to excellently tip Jessen’s header over the bar with Iceland’s first, and only, shot of the game.
England finally had their deserved second goal with 12 minutes remaining. Bronze turned creator this time and found Stanway, who arrowed a volley into the back of the net.
