Iceland 0-1 England
By Damion Arnold 18/4/26
Above: Alessia Russo (left) scoring her 30th England goal Photo: via @Lionesses.
England have picked up another crucial three points as they sit top of the qualifying group unbeaten after they narrowly beat Iceland 1-0 thanks to Alessia Russo’s first half goal and Hannah Hampton’s second-half goalkeeping heroics.
The Lionesses took the lead in the 21st minute through Russo. After a fantastic solo run from the edge of her own box, Lauren Hemp laid the ball off to Russo on the edge of the Iceland box. The latter spun and riffled a shot into the bottom left corner leaving Cecilia Runarsdottir no chance.
England ended the first half in full control as they had 70% possession.
After sustaining large amounts of Icelandic pressure, England get a good chance on goal. Russo cut the ball back to Georgia Stanway inside the box, but the 27-year-old could not keep the shot down.
In the 69th minute, substitute Beth Mead came close to doubling the Lionesses lead with a good header. However, Runarsdottir did brilliantly to get down quickly and parry the ball away from danger.
Iceland had their best chance of the game in the 79th minute. The hosts came milometers from scoring as they hit the post. Jessen struck the post; the ball bounced away from the goal and fell to Dilja Zomers. Her close-range shot was saved well by Hampton’s foot, and the subsequent ball was cleared by Niamh Charles.
Three minutes later, Hampton pulled off another amazing save. This time, Alexandra Johannsdottir received the ball at the back post. She had plenty of time to have a touch and get her shot away, but Hampton’s left leg was in the way.
There was a late scare for England as Iceland found themselves in behind via a long ball. Jessen got onto the end of it and managed to go round Hampton, who opted for a high starting position. However, once Jessen was round Hampton, she lost her footing and her shot was blocked by Wubben-Moy.
Lineup: Iceland 4-3-3: Runarsdottir (Inter Milan), Arnardsottir (Hammarby IF), Viggosdottir (Bayern Munchen), Sigurdardottir (Freiburg), Heidarsdottir (Valerenga), Hermannsdottir (Valur Reykjavik), Johannsdottir (Kristianstads DFF), Asgeirsdottir (RB Leipzig), Jonsdottir (Angel City FC), Boama (Kristianstads DFF), Zomers (Brann). SUBS: Birkisdottir (BK Hacken), Ivarsdottir (Inter Milan), Eiriksdottir (Valerenga), Antonsdottir (Madrid CFF), Vilhjalmsdottir (Inter Milan), Tryggvadottir (Fiorentina), Gros (Djurgarden), Georgsdottir (Genoa), Halldorsdottir (Brondby IF), Eiriksdottir (Fiorentina), Jessen (FC Koln), Palmadottir (BK Hacken).
Goal scorers: N/A
Yellow cards: N/A
England 4-3-3: Hampton (Chelsea), Bronze (Chelsea), Williamson (Arsenal), Morgan (Washington Spirit), Greenwood (Manchester City), Blindkilde (Manchester City), Walsh (Chelsea), Stanway (Bayern Munchen), Hemp (Manchester City), Russo (Arsenal), James (Chelsea). SUBS: Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Roebuck (Aston Villa), Carter (Gotham FC), Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Le Tissier (Manchester United), Charles (Chelsea), Hinds (Arsenal), Parkinson (Valadares Gaia), Kendall (Aston Villa), Mead (Arsenal), Kelly (Arsenal), Park (Manchester United).
Goal scorers: Russo 21’.
Yellow cards: N/A
Referee: Michalina Diakow
Attendance: TBC
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