Lucy Bronze netted her 22nd international goal and Lauren James produced a Player of the Match performance as England defeated Iceland 2-0 at the City Ground.


The World Cup qualifier in Nottingham was won with a Bronze goal midway through the first half and a Georgia Stanway strike - set up by the Chelsea defender - near the end of the game.

As well as Bronze and James, Keira Walsh and Hannah Hampton also started, while Aggie Beever-Jones remained an unused substitute.

James pulled the strings from the left-hand side of midfield, and set up the opening goal after some nice interplay with Stanway. LJ’s deep cross found Bronze who powered a header into the top corner despite the best efforts of Iceland keeper Cecilia Runnarsdottir.


Runarsdottir's busy afternoon continued when James escaped four or five challenges before stinging her palms with a drive from distance. James then picked out Bronze once more but she couldn’t steer her effort on target this time.

In the second half, Hampton was called into action for the first time and responded with a superb save to keep out Sandra Maria Jessen's goalbound header.

The Lionesses then made sure of the result 12 minutes from time when Bronze’s pinpoint cross found Stanway on the penalty spot, who smashed her volley into the bottom corner.


England now top Group A3 after winning their opening two World Cup qualifiers, ahead of Spain’s match with Ukraine later on Saturday. England play Spain next month.

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