England kick-started their 2027 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in good type with an emphatic 6-1 win towards Ukraine in Turkey.
The Lionesses had been left annoyed by a resilient defensive efficiency from Ukraine within the first half however got here out with recent impetus after the restart, scoring six targets to cruise to victory of their first aggressive recreation since successful the Euros in July 2025.
Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park all netted doubles on the Mardan Antalyaspor, the impartial location chosen to host Ukraine’s designated house recreation as a result of ongoing battle with Russia.
Russo’s two targets in simply 4 minutes supplied a snug and deserved lead however Yana Kalinina’s effort with Ukraine’s first assault of the sport hinted at a shift in momentum within the fixture.
Nonetheless, any hopes of a comeback have been shortly extinguished when Lauren Hemp was introduced down within the space simply after the hour mark.
England have fun after beating Ukraine 6-1
Stanway stepped as much as dispatch the spot-kick and would then double her tally for the night moments later with a thumping effort into the highest left nook.
A faucet-in and well-taken curling shot from Park capped off a formidable begin for the Lionesses in Group A3 forward of their assembly with Iceland of their subsequent fixture on March 7 on the Metropolis Floor in Nottingham.
Stanway: We discovered our high quality
England midfielder Georgia Stanway chatting with ITV:
“We needed a little bit more quality from the first half in the final third, and we got that in the second half.
“Each single level is so essential on this qualifying stage. And yeah, we’re pleased to get the job completed.
“Now you can see the girls working extra hard, and that will continue to go throughout the rest of the campaign, after the final whistle.”
