Alessia Russo celebrates scoring England's openerImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Alessia Russo has scored 19 goals in 33 matches for Arsenal this season

At a glance

  • Alessia Russo scores midway through first half to give England lead

  • Hannah Hampton makes three crucial saves in second half

  • Lionesses maintain 100% record in 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying

  • PLAYER RATER

By
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Laugardalsvollur Stadium

Alessia Russo's goal secured victory for England in their Women's World Cup qualifier against Iceland to make it four wins from four in their group.

The Arsenal striker took her chance midway through the first half, finding the far corner with a perfectly weighted shot across goal.

However, the Lionesses were made to work for their clean sheet, as goalkeeper Hannah Hampton pulled off three significant saves late in the second half.

Sarina Wiegman's side, bidding for an automatic qualification spot for next year's World Cup, sit top of their group following Tuesday's crucial 1-0 win over Spain.

They backed up that result against the world champions with an important win in Reykjavik, but sloppiness crept into the Lionesses' display.

The European champions had controlled the first half but were caught out on occasions by Iceland's dangerous set-pieces as the match wore on.

Hampton's heroics might prove vital as the Lionesses edge closer to securing their spot in Brazil, and this performance showed they still have work to do.

But three points and a clean sheet is a valuable takeaway from Iceland, even if it was not convincing, and England know they will top the group with two wins in June.

England analysis: Russo and Hampton bail out Lionesses

Having recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over world champions Spain at Wembley on Tuesday, Wiegman's side were keen to back it up with three points in Reykjavik.

They were greeted with respect by their opponents, who applauded them before kick-off in recognition of the Lionesses' milestone 500th fixture.

Celebrations have taken place throughout the week by the Football Association (FA) as it marked the occasion - and optimism is high for the Lionesses' future as they gear up towards the World Cup.

This was another good result for England who sit top of their qualifying group, despite Spain's 5-0 thrashing of Ukraine earlier on Saturday.

However, this was far from routine.

Iceland were organised and compact, as Wiegman predicted, which made it tough for England to create clear-cut chances. But in Russo, they have a striker who only needs one to capitalise.

The Arsenal forward, who has been in scintillating form for club and country in recent months, was a threat throughout the first half despite not seeing as much of the ball as England would have liked.

When the chance did come her way in the first half from Lauren Hemp's burst down the middle, Russo spun away from her marker in the box and drilled the ball into the far corner.

It was the clinical moment England needed to nudge ahead, but victory would not have been theirs had it not been for Hampton's athleticism and quick reactions in the second half.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, who also made a crucial save late on against Spain, proved her worth in Iceland, stepping up when needed as England were rocked.

It will have caused concern for Wiegman, who was visibly frustrated at times in the dugout, but while this was a nervous display, England's star players delivered.

They have called on individual brilliance during their back-to-back Euros successes and if anyone thought this qualification campaign would be smooth, Iceland proved otherwise.

They have two remaining fixtures against Spain and Ukraine in June, and if they win them both will be guaranteed automatic qualification to next year's World Cup in Brazil and be seeded for the draw.

That is the dream scenario - but England will likely need better control in the summer in order to do so.

'We fought and got over the line'

England's drop-off in the second half did not prove costly in the end, but Wiegman said they had to "fight" to get over the line.

It was a show of resilience as her side have encountered similar difficulties on the road in the Nations League and not secured victories.

While this was not the ideal performance, it was enough to keep England in pole position and in control of their World Cup qualification chances.

"As always we play to win. We have played four, have 12 points and are in the best possible position so that's absolutely positive," said Wiegman.

"But you want to make the chance of winning the next game high too. We just have to stay neutral. It's focusing on the process - but winning is very important.

"The second half wasn't so beautiful from our side but it was very important."

Wiegman said there were several factors for England's second-half display, including difficult pitch conditions and their struggles at set-pieces.

Asked why she believed England's control loosened in the second half, she said: "The tempo could have gone higher which is a little hard on this pitch. We also know Iceland are very tough, very disciplined and powerful.

"We did very good in the first half and in the second half we just didn't start well. From what I saw - I will have to talk to the team as well of course - but we started doing different things.

"They started pressing higher and we didn't skip players, we played a little too much through the middle where the pitch was harder. The shape was different to what we wanted it to be and we played a little bit into their hands.

"They got momentum back and we just had to fight to defend their corners and throw-ins. We struggled with that but we fought and we got over the line."

What's next for both teams?

England's biggest test will come next against Spain in Mallorca on Friday, 5 June, before they host Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, 9 June.

Iceland travel to Ukraine on 5 June and end their qualifying campaign at home to Spain on 9 June.

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Average rating 8.38
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Number: 18 G. Arnardóttir
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Number: 19 S. Heiðarsdóttir
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Number: 9 D. Zomers
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Number: 5 E. Ásgeirsdóttir
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Number: 4 G. Viggósdóttir
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Number: 17 Í. Hermannsdóttir
Average Rating: 4.95
Number: 8 A. Jóhannsdóttir
Average Rating: 4.93

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