England 5-0 Greece (8-1 on agg): Women’s World Cup qualifying playoff, second leg, live reaction
Alessia Russo and Lauren James scored twice as England advanced to a final playoff against Ukraine 4 min Papatheodorou almost replies straight away, sweeping a left-foot shot from the edge of the area that is pushed round the post by the diving Hampton. Good save. Perfect start for England. Lauren James collects a loose ball in the centre circle, surges forward and flicks a perfectly timed pass through to Russo. She rides a lunging challenge from Markou on the edge of the area and passes the ball confidently past Katergiannaki. Continue reading...
A mercurial Lauren James scored two and provided an assist in a thrilling four-goal first 45 minutes against Greece, as England put themselves two games away from securing their place at the World Cup.
James’s double was matched by Alessia Russo, who scored either side of the break, and her Arsenal teammate Georgia Stanway was also on the scoresheet, with the Lionesses setting up a round two playoff phase double header against Ukraine in November and December. It was a clinical and slick statement from England, albeit against a team they should bypass with ease.
Any Greek hopes of arriving in Leicester and launching a Trojan horse-style smash and grab, after a hugely impressive performance in their 3-1 defeat to an unconvincing Lionesses team in Crete, were quickly dashed.
