The Lionesses produced a dominant performance to beat Iceland 2-0 in front of a sold-out City Ground on Saturday. The result means they continue their perfect start to their World Cup qualification campaign.Â
Nottingham welcomed the England Women’s team for the first time in 32 years as they looked to continue their good form. A goal and an assist for Lucy Bronze, was enough for victory for the Lionesses, with Georgia Stanway also finding the net. The Lionesses dominated throughout against Iceland but may feel they should have made it a bit more comfortable with the abundance of chances they failed to convert.
The Lionesses came into the game off the back of a convincing 6-1 victory against Ukraine in the week, in which Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park all scored braces. All three kept their places in the starting eleven on Saturday, as Sarina Wiegman made three changes from Tuesday’s win.
Lucy Bronze replaced Maya Le Tissier in the starting eleven, making her the third most capped Lioness of all time, with 145 caps, moving ahead of legend Karen Carney. Esme Morgan joined Lucy Bronze in the starting lineup with Lotte Wubben-Moy dropping to the bench. Lauren James also came into the team for Laura Blindkilde Brown to round out the Lionesses starting eleven against Iceland.
Before kick-off both teams joined around the centre circle to remember one of the great pioneers of women’s football in England, Lynda Hale. Hale sadly passed away this week. England’s first ever number 7, Hale, played and scored in the first ever official England women’s fixture, her historic legacy will never be forgotten. She will be remembered and celebrated as a true trailblazer for women’s sport.
The Lineups
ENG:Â Hampton; Hinds, Morgan, Williamson, Bronze; Walsh, Stanway, Park; James, Hemp, Russo
ISL: Rúnarsdóttir; Arnardóttir, Viggósdóttir, Sigurdardóttir, Heidarsdóttir; Hermannsdóttir, Antonsdóttir, Vilhjálmsdóttir; EirÃksdóttir, Jessen, Jónsdóttir
The Action
After a slow opening few minutes, it didn’t take long for Lionesses to start creating chances against Iceland. England squeezed high up the pitch throughout, and hence were ready to capitalise on any mistakes. Their first shot on goal came from a poor goal kick from CecilÃa Rán Rúnarsdóttir in goal for Iceland, that gave Alessia Russo a chance to intercept. Russo won the ball but couldn’t test the keeper sufficiently with a bouncing shot, on the stretch. This was however a sign of things to come.
England began to sustain long periods of pressure, testing the resolve of the Iceland defence more and more. Lauren Hemp went close with fifteen minutes gone, but at full stretch couldn’t quite connect with a low fizzed cross delivered by Russo. The Lionesses went even closer just two minutes later. Taylor Hinds, who had started the game very brightly, did well to win the ball back high up the pitch and find Lauren James. James’ brilliant cross was met by Lauren Hemp, whose header hit the inside of the right-hand post, inches away from giving England the lead.
Just five minutes later however, England finally took a deserved lead. The move involved James again, a brilliant overlapping run allowed her to collect the ball on the bye line and produce a fantastic delivery into the box. Lucy Bronze was the first to meet it and her brilliant header looped into the top right corner, commemorating her 145th cap with a goal.
The Lionesses continued to push and hit the post for the second time of the afternoon against Iceland. A corner had been delivered deep towards Lucy Bronze, whose header hit the foot of the post. Bronze and England, so close to a second.
As the game resumed for the second half, the momentum continued to only go one way. However, to England’s disappointment the lead was still only one, and the door was left ajar for an Icelandic miracle. This was very nearly the case, as on the hour mark Hannah Hampton was forced into a world class save to keep England ahead. A deflected cross landed on the head of Sandra Jessen who from 6 yards out couldn’t believe she hadn’t equalized. A brilliant, outstretched hand from Hannah Hampton proved why she is the still the best goalkeeper in the world.
The Lionesses continued to spurn chances, Russo was slipped in behind the defence but could only find the outstretched legs of the Iceland number one. Eventually however England found the net for the second time. Georgia Stanway scored her third goal in two games after brilliant full back play from Bronze again, who whipped in a cross. Stanway, showcasing fantastic technique, volleyed into the bottom right corner for a splendid second, nothing more than England deserved.
As the game drew to a close, England maintained full control. It had been brilliant from England both offensively and defensively throughout and they limited Iceland to virtually nothing in front of goal. Iceland will be counting their lucky stars it wasn’t more. England must look to really hone in on mastering their clinical edge to ensure they are out of sight as soon as possible in future encounters, to avoid nervousness and the goalkeeping heroics on show today.
England Player Ratings
GK: Hannah Hampton – 7/10 – Not actively involved but when called upon produced a wonderful save to keep England in front. It’s important not to underestimate the impact that save had on the game.
RB: Lucy Bronze – 9/10 – A near perfect game from Lucy Bronze who on her 145th appearance produced a goal and an assist. A model professional who is still so integral to Wiegman’s England.
CB: Leah Williamson – 8/10 – A steadfast performance from the England captain. Notable to see the difference she makes to the squad when she is in. She is constantly cutting out passes which goes unnoticed by many, because thanks to her, it leads to nothing.
CB: Esme Morgan – 7/10 – Performed her role well throughout, looked composed defensively.
LB: Taylor Hinds – 8/10 – Involved throughout and a constant threat on the overlap. She was a bundle of energy, flying up and down the wing consistently.
CM: Keira Walsh – 7/10 – A more than decent performance from Walsh. Controlled the midfield well and rarely put a foot wrong.
CM: Jess Park – 7/10 – another good performance from Park. Quieter and less involved than the Ukraine fixture but a threat nevertheless.
CM: Georgia Stanway – 8/10 – proving to be a reliable goal scorer yet again for England. A brilliant finish from her summed up her game and was nothing less than what she deserved.
RW: Lauren James – 8/10 – a constant threat on the wing, really showcasing her immense impact if she can stay injury free. Particularly impressed with her linkup with Lucy Bronze. A club level connection flourishing on the international stage.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 7/10 – Contributed well to the frontline and can count herself unlucky she didn’t get herself on the scoresheet with a few efforts that came close.
ST: Alessia Russo – 8/10 – Her hold up play was excellent throughout and she helped create many opportunities for her teammates. Some brilliant centre forward play but will be disappointed however that she wasn’t on the scoresheet herself.
SUBS
Chloe Kelly – N/A – (James 75′) –Â
Laura Blindkilde-Brown – N/A – (Park 84′) –Â
Lucia Kendall – N/A – (Stanway 90′) –Â
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Lucy Bronze
Bronze continues to be the gold standard for England. Making her 145th appearance her performance was one to remember with Bronze rarely producing a more well-rounded display. When the inevitable occurs, Bronze will be an incredibly hard player to replace. As Sarina Wiegman put it, “she’s an incredible human being.”
