Lionesses lessons from World Cup qualifying: Hampton and Russo shine with winning blueprint

England on right path but Iceland frustrate

The Lionesses’ performance against Spain showed the Euro 2025 final wasn’t a one-off. England have the blueprint for how to beat the world champions: conceding possession, forcing them central and using the threat of Lauren James and Lauren Hemp out wide to punish them on the counter. They were mature and disciplined at Wembley, if a little nervy at the close, with Sarina Wiegman’s team failing to build on their early lead.

There was naturally going to be a hangover after such a huge game at Wembley and the tricky conditions in Reykjavík didn’t help, but England need to learn how to handle physical and organised teams such as Iceland more efficiently. They frustrated Wiegman’s side, forcing England into a scrappy and physical game that nullified their strengths. The Lionesses got the win over the line, just, but there is lots to learn from a game against a level of team they have come unstuck against before.

Wubben-Moy and Morgan stake a claim

Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy has had to wait for opportunities for minutes with club and country. Injury to Leah Williamson has given her an opening and she has grasped it, proving excellent for both. Against Spain at Wembley and in the second half against Iceland, when she replaced Williamson whose minutes were being managed on her return to action, the defender showed she is so much more than a solid squad member.

Likewise, Esme Morgan has stepped up a gear since her move to Washington Spirit in May 2024. With Alex Greenwood shifted back into the left-back role she vacated at Manchester City some time ago, as Wiegman attempts to find a solution to a hole in the back line, there is an opening to be fought for alongside Williamson, or in her absence, should injury problems persist.

Four wins from four shows progress

It may not have been a particularly pretty or easy win against Iceland, but it was a win and a critical three points earned, as England’s push to finish top and avoid playoffs for a spot at the World Cup in 2027 remains on course. The Lionesses have finally found their rhythm in this format. World Cup qualifying for European teams mirrors the Nations League setup and in the two editions of the Nations League to date the European champions have struggled, finishing second in their group both times and failing to make the finals.

In its inaugural edition, in 2024, a defeat to Belgium meant they finished level on points with the Netherlands with an inferior goal difference and in 2025 a loss to Belgium and draw with Portugal gave Spain top spot. England won one and lost one against both the Netherlands and Spain, but it was dropped points against the lower-ranked sides that tripped them up. England’s four wins from four, having again been drawn in the same group as Spain, their Euro 2025 and Women’s World Cup 2023 final opponents, shows progress, despite mixed performances.