Second Half Updates
51 min: Iceland have become more threatening in this half, earning several set-piece opportunities but have yet to seriously challenge Hampton.
49 min: Iceland secure another set piece. Sædís Heiðarsdóttir delivers a free kick which Hannah Hampton comfortably catches.
46 min: Sveindís Jónsdóttir creates danger with a long throw. The ball bounces in the box before England clear it for a corner.
Second half begins. Iceland restart the match. Lotte Wubben-Moy replaces Leah Williamson for England.
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Half Time: Iceland 0-1 England
England control the match, dominating possession and chances, but hold a narrow one-goal lead. Iceland will need to find an effective outlet to re-enter the contest.
First Half Highlights
43 min: England build a strong attack down the left. Keira Walsh finds herself wide and cuts the ball back to Alessia Russo. Russo drives past the fullback and crosses, but the ball is cleared for a corner.
38 min: Iceland register their first shot. Dilja Zomers controls the ball before shooting wide of the post.
37 min: Russo has another opportunity. Lauren James threads a pass to her, but Russo hesitates before shooting towards Rúnarsdóttir’s near post; the Iceland goalkeeper saves comfortably.
36 min: Russo breaks free again and attempts a cut-back for a teammate, but the ball goes behind everyone and the chance is lost.
30 min: England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has had minimal involvement so far. Iceland have yet to take a shot.
27 min: Alex Greenwood delivers a corner that is partially cleared by Iceland. The ball returns to Greenwood in the box, but her shot is straight at the keeper.
23 min: Rúnarsdóttir continues to face pressure, giving the ball away again, resulting in an England corner.
Goal: Iceland 0-1 England (Russo, 21)
Lauren Hemp receives the ball in her own half and accelerates past Iceland defenders. Russo makes a supporting run, receives the pass, turns, and fires a shot into the bottom left corner.
18 min: Lauren James has been a key threat, beating Gudrún Arnardóttir with a stepover and delivering a cross along the box, which is cleared for another corner.
17 min: Emilía Ásgeirsdóttir makes a crucial block to deny Lauren Hemp.
15 min: James plays a through ball to Russo, who runs onto it, but her shot is blocked and deflects out for a goal kick.
12 min: Iceland defend solidly. England’s forwards probe but have yet to create a clear chance.
7 min: Lauren James dribbles past multiple players and attempts a quick give-and-go with Russo, but the referee stops play for a foul as James uses her strength against an Iceland defender.
5 min: Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir nearly makes a costly error, stumbling on the goal line. Russo nearly capitalizes with a tap-in, but Rúnarsdóttir recovers to clear.
3 min: England dominate possession early. Iceland likely to rely on counterattacks and set pieces.
1 min: England have an early chance. Lucy Bronze crosses into the box and Russo’s volley is blocked, resulting in a corner.
England kick off, moving from right to left.
The teams enter the field and sing their national anthems.
Pre-Match Context
Here is some pre-match analysis by Suzanne Wrack.
It has been a successful week for England Women’s football, with the U23 team winning the European Competition title after a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the final.
The Lionesses are warming up in special pre-match shirts commemorating their 500th game. The shirts, available in black and white, feature the Three Lions logo and the number 500 inside a Tudor rose pattern.
Team Lineups
Iceland: Rúnarsdóttir, Arnardóttir, Víggósdóttir, Sigurðardóttir, Heiðarsdóttir, Hermannsdóttir, Jóhannsdóttir, Ásgeirsdóttir, Jónsdóttir, Boama, Zomers
Substitutes: Ívarsdóttir, Birkisdóttir, Eiríksdóttir, Jessen, Tryggvadóttir, Vilhjálmsdóttir, Georgsdóttir, Eiríksdóttir, Ólafsdóttir Gros, Antonsdóttir, Pálmadóttir, Halldórsdóttir
England: Hampton, Bronze, Greenwood, Walsh, Williamson, Morgan, James, Stanway, Russo, Blindkilde Brown, Hemp
Substitutes: Le Tissier, Moorhouse, Wubben-Moy, Carter, Hinds, Kelly, Kendall, Mead, Park, Roebuck, Charles, Parkinson
Match Overview
Welcome to live coverage of the Women’s World Cup qualifier between Iceland and England at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium.
This match marks the Lionesses’ 500th game. Lucy Bronze, who has earned 146 caps for England, remarked:
“It’s crazy in two ways. On the one hand it’s only been 500, but at the same time - oh my God - it’s 500 games.”
A victory today would preserve England’s 100% record in Group A3 under Sarina Wiegman’s management as they aim for automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Iceland seek to recover from their 2-0 defeat to England six weeks ago. Their only group win came recently with a 1-0 victory over Ukraine. Coach Thorsteinn Halldórsson’s team will be encouraged by England’s previous difficulties against similarly ranked teams such as Belgium and Portugal.
The match kicked off at 5:30pm BST. Fans are invited to share their thoughts and follow live updates.
