The Lionesses marked their 500th international fixture with a 1-0 away win against Iceland last weekend.
It’s a result which sees Sarina Wiegman’s side maintain their unbeaten record in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Lionesses Secure Victory in Iceland
England dominated the first half, limiting Iceland largely to set-pieces, with the Lionesses’ breakthrough coming from a sharp counter-attack.
Lauren Hemp drove forward before picking out Alessia Russo, who finished confidently into the bottom corner in the 21st minute.
Russo’s winner was her 30th senior goal for England, taking her into the all-time top ten goalscorers for the Lionesses.
The second half was a different story. Iceland grew into the game and began to ask more questions, particularly through long throws and direct play into the England box.
A loose ball trickled across the goalmouth and struck the post late on, before Hannah Hampton reacted brilliantly to deny the follow-up.
Hampton is the Lionesses’ Heroine
Hampton was the standout performer of the second half, pulling off three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
But the shot-stopper was typically modest in her post-match interview: “It is my job, isn’t it really, let’s be honest,” she said.
“We are in it as a team. I can’t score goals, but I can stop them. We win as a team and that is what we pride ourselves on. We are a right pack, as they call it. [Alessia] got a great finish at one end, I had to do my job at the other.”
Russo was equally generous in her praise: “She was amazing. She made some big saves and sometimes you need someone to step up like that.”
What’s Next for England and Iceland?
England’s biggest qualifying test comes next against Spain in Mallorca on 5 June, before they host Ukraine at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on 9 June. Two wins from those fixtures would guarantee automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Iceland, meanwhile, travel to Ukraine on 5 June before ending their qualifying campaign at home to Spain on 9 June.
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