There were victories across the board in European qualifiers for next summer’s tournament in Brazil, with those involved now turning their attention to next month’s second and final round of play-offs.

At the King Power Stadium, Lauren James netted two first-half goals and Chelsea Academy graduate Lexi Potter debuted for the Lionesses as England made light work of Greece, winning 5-0 on the night and 8-1 on aggregate.

Potter lined up alongside Keira Walsh in the centre of England’s midfield, reprising the partnership that have proven so effective this season. Hannah Hampton started in goal while James was deployed in the no.10 position behind Alessio Russo.

It was James who set up Russo to give England an early lead, which our attacker doubled on 16 minutes with a ferocious left-footed strike that rose into the top corner.

Georgia Stanway added a third before James bagged her second and England’s fourth, finishing first time from Lauren Hemp’s delivery. It was James’ final contribution of note as she was withdrawn at the interval following a scintillating 45-minute performance.

Potter was replaced by Jess Park on the hour having impressed on her big day. Walsh played the full 90 minutes and set up England’s final goal scored by Russo. Sarina Wiegman’s side play Ukraine in round two.

Returning to the starting line-up after serving a first-leg suspension, Katie McCabe made an immediate impact for the Republic of Ireland as they wrapped up a commanding 4–0 victory over Kazakhstan.

Wearing the captain's armband, McCabe led from the front and capped off an energetic performance by getting on the scoresheet shortly after the break, firing home in the 49th minute to double Ireland's lead. The emphatic 12-0 aggregate win means Ireland comfortably advance to the next round of qualifying, where they will play Poland.

Nathalie Bjorn opened the scoring with a deflected effort as Sweden thrashed Lithuania 10-0 in the second leg of their play-off. Bjorn, who captained Sweden, was withdrawn at half-time with her side already 6-0 ahead.

They will face Erin Cuthbert’s Scotland in the next round in what promises to be a fascinating contest. Scotland led 2-0 after the first leg against Czech Republic and made sure of progression with a 3-2 victory in Paisley.

Cuthbert was introduced at half-time with the Scots trailing 2-1, but she helped her nation come back to win, providing the dangerous cross that set up the winning goal scored by Christy Grimshaw.

Livia Peng kept a clean sheet in Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over Israel, which completed a 9-3 aggregate win. The Swiss will meet Austria next.

Veerle Buurman played 70 minutes as the Netherlands despatched Hungary 3-0 to win 11-0 on aggregate. Next up for the Netherlands is a two-legged tie against Slovenia.

In Florence, Giulia Dragoni was introduced on the hour as Italy drew 1-1 with Belarus, sealing a 3-1 aggregate success. They will meet Finland in the next round.

On Monday evening, Kadeisha Buchanan played the first half of Canada’s 4-3 friendly defeat to Denmark in Toronto.

Before kick-off, Buchanan and her former Chelsea team-mates Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming were honoured for reaching the milestone of 150 appearances for Canada.

Buchanan lined up at centre-back for Casey Stoney’s side, who went into the interval 3-1 down and, despite fighting back, were beaten 4-3. It was their final warm-up game before the CONCACAF W Championship, which starts late next month.