England had to secure a place in the Women’s World Cup play-offs despite a resounding win over Ukraine at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Sarina Wiegman’s side produced the perfect response to a dismal 4-0 defeat by Spain on Friday night, but the world champions’ win over Iceland means the Lionesses still have work to do if they are to secure a place in Brazil next year.
Goals from Jess Carter and Georgia Stanway gave Wiegman’s side a first-half win, and substitute Beth Mead added the icing on the cake with a superb free kick.
Nonetheless, if England are to get on the plane next year, they will have a difficult task ahead of them.
The Lionesses, who suffered their heaviest defeat since the Euro 2009 final, got off to a positive start on Merseyside as they searched for their ideal response.
Jess Carter led England to a lively start in the opener.
They took the lead just before the 15th minute when Carter was left unmarked at the back post and made the simple task of heading home a Lauren James cross from close range.
The best move of the game brought the hosts’ second just before the break. Some crisp interplay allowed Alessia Russo to play a square ball into the path of a sliding Stanway who joined the ball in the back of the net.
Congratulations to Georgia Stanway for doubling England’s lead against Ukraine.
With Spain already leading the game with a 6-1 win in Reykjavik, Wiegman’s side looked flat in the second half, as if they already knew they would not qualify for the play-offs.
The mood at least improved as Meade became the joint-fifth highest scorer in Liones’ history when she fired a free-kick into the bottom corner, her 40th goal of the night and England’s third.
Beth Meade scores England’s third goal against Ukraine.
To some extent it was all veins. The European champions must advance to the World Cup through the play-offs after finishing behind their rivals in Group A3.
More to follow.
