Key Takeaways
- Hannah Hampton’s back-to-back clean sheets keep England top of their 2027 World Cup group.
- Alessia Russo’s clever assist and solo goal show she can shine as both a striker and a play-maker.
- Coach Sarina Wiegman now has a clear road map to beat physical sides like Iceland and giants like Spain.
England’s women are ticking the right boxes in the race for the 2027 World Cup. After edging Spain at Wembley and grinding out a 1-0 win in icy Reykjavík, the Lionesses sit four-from-four at the top of their qualifying pool.
The Spanish victory proved the Euro 2025 final display was no fluke. Wiegman told her team to surrender the ball, herd Spain into crowded midfield zones, then explode through Lauren Hemp and Lauren James on the flanks. The plan worked until late nerves set in.
Four days later, wind-swept Iceland forced a different test. The hosts dragged England into a scrap, fouling early and often. Lotte Wubben-Moy, on for the carefully-managed Leah Williamson, headed everything clear and started attacks with crisp passes. Esme Morgan, fresh from her move to Washington Spirit, also looked calm on the ball, underlining the depth Wiegman now enjoys at centre-half.
Yet the headline acts were at opposite ends of the pitch. Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton twice denied Iceland from close range to protect a slender lead. Her quick reflexes answered recent club critics and left the manager hailing a “world-class” display. With Ellie Roebuck still regaining full fitness, Hampton’s grip on the gloves has never looked tighter.
Up front, Alessia Russo provided the moment of magic. Collecting a bouncing ball on the turn, the Arsenal striker spun past her marker and buried the winner. It followed her ingenious flick against Spain that set up Hemp, proving she can create as well as finish. Debate over whether she is a nine or a ten now feels pointless; she excels in both roles.
The three points were never stylish, but they keep England on course to dodge the play-offs. After twice finishing behind Spain and the Netherlands in past Nations League-style groups, the Lionesses have learned that beating lower seeds is just as vital as toppling the champions. So far, so good: eight goals scored, none conceded, and a growing belief that 2027 could be Kenya’s year to watch England on the world stage.