England began their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign with a dominant 6-1 win over Ukraine in a Group A3 encounter at the Mardan Antalyaspor Stadium, a neutral venue chosen due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
After a goalless first half, the Lionesses broke the deadlock early in the second period and never looked back.
Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, and Jess Park all scored doubles as England recorded a commanding victory ahead of their next qualifier against Iceland at Nottingham’s City Ground on Saturday.
Team Selection
England kicked off their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign against Ukraine in Antalya, Turkey, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Sarina Wiegman made seven changes from the friendly against Ghana in December, reintroducing key players such as captain Leah Williamson and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Lauren James, and Chloe Kelly were on the bench.
Maya Le Tissier started at right-back, replacing Bronze, and Taylor Hinds started at left-back, while in-form Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown earned a rare start
Alex Greenwood missed out with a minor muscle injury and was set to be assessed ahead of Saturday’s qualifier against Iceland.
There was a place on the bench London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson, who earned her first senior call-up.
The squad also wore black armbands in tribute to former Lioness Lynda Hale, who passed away earlier in the week.
Hale had played in England’s first official women’s fixture in 1972, scored three goals in 10 appearances, and won the Women’s FA Cup seven times with Southampton.
England were drawn in Group A3 with Spain, Iceland, and Ukraine.
Only the group winners automatically qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, while second- and third-placed teams face playoffs against teams from Leagues B and C.
With Spain in the group, Wiegman emphasised the importance of maximum points from Ukraine and Iceland to keep control of qualification.
First Half: England Dominate but Fail to Break Through
The Lionesses began brightly, dominating possession with 88% and creating multiple chances, but Ukraine defended resolutely.
Within the first 15 minutes, Le Tissier and Lauren Hemp tested the Ukrainian defence, while Russo’s early shots were saved or deflected wide.
Ukraine suffered an early injury setback as Nicole Kozlova was stretchered off after appearing in considerable pain, replaced by Lidiia Zaborovets.
Stanway, Park, and Russo all had opportunities in the first half, but England struggled with end product.
Blindkilde Brown nearly scored her first England goal with a looping shot that hit the bar and bounced near the line.
Lotte Wubben-Moy attempted a cheeky backheel in the six-yard box, but Ukraine cleared it. Calls for penalties were waved away, including when Stanway appeared to be tugged in the box.
The first half ended 0-0, leaving the Lionesses frustrated but still dominant.
Ukraine’s disciplined defensive display ensured they remained in the match, frustrating England’s early dominance.
Second Half: The Floodgates Open
The breakthrough came quickly. At 48 minutes, Russo latched onto a through ball from Keira Walsh, cut inside, and calmly slotted past Kateryna Samson to make it 1-0.
Four minutes later, Hemp provided the assist for Russo again, curling a low ball into the six-yard box for a tap-in, putting England 2-0 up.
Ukraine responded immediately with their first attack of the game. Yana Kalinina capitalised on a loose ball from a free-kick and fired past Hampton to make it 2-1, but the goal only briefly interrupted England’s momentum.
On 64 minutes, Hemp was fouled in the box, winning a penalty. Stanway stepped up and dispatched a composed strike into the bottom left corner, restoring England’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Ukraine made triple substitutions following their goal, with Viktoriia Hiryn, Daryna Vorontsova, and Inna Hlushchenko coming on for Kalinina, Andrukhiv, and Kravchuk.
Stanway scored her second goal on 70 minutes, a thunderous strike from the edge of the box into the top corner, making it 4-1.
England then rotated further, with Russo and Hemp making way for Aggie Beever-Jones and James who struggled with her first touch, skying the ball over the bar.
Park scored her first goal of the game on 78 minutes, tapping in a low cross from Stanway to make it 5-1. 11 minutes later, she grabbed her second and England’s sixth, cutting in from the left and curling her effort over the keeper.
The match ended with England in control, six second-half goals securing a dominant victory
Patience and Composure in Tight Matches
England controlled possession throughout the first half, holding 85% of the ball and registering 40 touches in the opposition box, yet were unable to break down Ukraine’s resolute defence.
Despite numerous half-chances and set-piece opportunities, the Lionesses needed halftime adjustments to unlock the game.
Tactical Flexibility Unlocks Defences
Sarina Wiegman’s adjustments at halftime were pivotal. The introduction of Poppy Pattinson and Esme Morgan, combined with Jess Park moving wide, created space and fluidity in England’s attacking play.
Russo’s quickfire goals after the restart demonstrated how targeted tactical changes can convert dominance into concrete results.
England completed 449 passes to Ukraine’s 84 and registered 55 entries into the final third, highlighting how patience combined with positional rotation can break disciplined defences.
Star Performers Make the Difference
Russo, Stanway, and Park all scored doubles, showcasing their ability to exploit space, finish clinically, and maintain composure under pressure.
Russo’s intelligent movement and poacher’s instinct, Stanway’s midfield control and penalty execution, and Park’s wide creativity all contributed to England’s attacking variety.
Their 94.4% passing accuracy (Stanway) and multiple shots on target underline the statistical dominance behind their individual brilliance.
Squad Depth and Effective Rotation
England’s rotation, with seven changes from December’s friendly against Ghana, ensured fitness while maintaining attacking intensity.
The return of captain Williamson and goalkeeper Hampton provided stability, while debutant Pattinson and second-half substitutes James and Beever-Jones added fresh attacking impetus.
Depth allowed Wiegman to manage player workload while still producing a decisive result.
Resilience and Ruthless Efficiency
The Lionesses’ response to Ukraine’s lone second-half goal exemplified resilience. Instead of panicking, England restored their two-goal lead within minutes through Stanway’s penalty and continued to dominate.
Ukraine’s minimal chances illustrated how clinical finishing, combined with mental toughness, can crush opposition momentum.
Tactical Analysis
England dominated possession (85%) and passing (449 vs 84), created 55 final third entries, and accumulated 40 touches inside the box, yet were wasteful in the first half.
Adjustments at halftime allowed better link-up play and more composure in the box.
Ukraine’s resilience and disciplined defensive positioning initially frustrated England, but fatigue and space allowed the Lionesses to exploit opportunities in the second half.
Switching Park to the left wing provided more freedom and better positioning for attacking runs, while Hemp’s movement inside helped create chances.
Post-Match Reflections
Sarina Wiegman praised the second-half display while acknowledging the need for more composure in earlier phases.
Park was highlighted as a standout performer, and Stanway’s 30th England goal underscored her growing influence.
The match showcased England’s depth, with substitutes like Pattinson and Beever-Jones gaining experience, though Russo was denied a hat-trick by Wiegman’s rotations.
The victory positions England at the top of Group A3, with a strong five-goal cushion over Ukraine.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s qualifier against Iceland at the City Ground, where another maximum points result will be essential ahead of the crucial meeting with world champions Spain in April.
Teams
England: 1 Hannah Hampton (Chelsea); 2 Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), 3 Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), 4 Keira Walsh (Chelsea), 5 Leah Williamson (Arsenal) (C), 6 Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), 7 Jess Park (Manchester United), 8 Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), 9 Alessia Russo (Arsenal), 10 Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), 11 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Substitutes: 14 Poppy Pattinson (London City Lionesses) for Hinds 46, 15 Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit) for Williamson 46, 20 Lauren James (Chelsea) for Hemp 73, 19 Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea) for Russo 73, 18 Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa) for Walsh 79
Subs not used: 12 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), 13 Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), 16 Grace Fisk (Liverpool), 17 Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), 19 Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), 21 Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa), 22 Jess Carter (Gotham FC), 23 Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses)
Goals: Russo 47, 51, Stanway 64 (pen), 70, Park 78, 89
Ukraine: 23 Samson, 8 Shainyuk, 4 Kotyk, 18 Korsun, 22 Basanska, 5 Andrukhiv, 7 Kalinina, 3 Petryk, 16 Ovdiychuk, 19 Kravchuk, 9 Kozlova
Substitutes: 13 Zaborovets for Kozlova 9, 10 Hiryn for Andrukvhi 64, 20 Hlushchenko for Kravchuk 64, 11 Vorontsova for Kalinina 68, 21 Olkhova for Zaborovets 86
Subs not used: 1 Boklach, 12 Keliushyk, 15 Kohut, 6 Kotiash, 2 Podolska, 14 Shmatko
Goals: Kalinina 58
