Iceland Women 0-1 England Women: Russo fires England to win in 500th game as Lionesses stay perfect
Report as Alessia Russo’s goal marks England’s 500th game with a 1-0 win over Iceland in World Cup qualifying; the Lionesses dominate the first half but survive a late scare as Iceland hit the post; Wiegman’s side make it four wins from four
Saturday 18 April 2026 20:11, UK
England marked their 500th international match with a 1-0 victory over Iceland, although they were made to work for it after a dominant first half in Reykjavik.
Alessia Russo's first-half goal ultimately proved enough, but Iceland came close to a dramatic equaliser late on.
England were in control early and quickly forced Iceland back, with much of their threat coming down the right. The breakthrough came from a sharp counter-attack, with Lauren Hemp driving forward before picking out Russo, who finished confidently into the bottom corner.
The visitors dominated the first half, limiting Iceland largely to set-pieces, while Hannah Hampton was rarely tested.
However, the momentum shifted after the break. Iceland grew into the game and began to ask more questions, particularly through long throws and direct play into the England box.
England struggled to regain the same level of control, and were fortunate not to concede late on in a remarkable moment. A loose ball trickled across goal and struck the post, before Hampton reacted brilliantly to deny the follow-up.
It was a warning sign for the Lionesses, who had chances to extend their lead but were unable to find a second goal to kill the game.
In the end, Sarina Wiegman's side held on to maintain their perfect start and remain top of Group A3 - but this was far from the comfortable win it had looked set to be at half-time.
Wiegman: Very hard game
"It was a very hard game, a big difference between the first half and the second half," she told ITV.
"The tempo could be a bit higher. We created some opportunities, but didn't convert them into big chances. The goal was a good goal.
"Second half, they pressed a little bit high and we had to make some better decisions, especially in these circumstances, and we were struggling.
"We know they're good at the throw-ins and the corners and that's what we defended really well.
"It was a very hard fight, but we got it over the line and that's the most important."
Hampton: Nerve-wracking ending
"It was nerve-wracking at the end. We knew they'd put more bodies forward and make it difficult, but we got the win, which is the most important thing," she told ITV.
"It's my job to make those saves, but it's a team effort. We pride ourselves on that - we win together. Alessia [Russo] got a great finish at one end, and I had to do my job at the other.
"We would have liked to control the game a bit better, but we know how dangerous they are, especially with set-pieces and balls into the box. We had to stay solid, and I think we did that.
"We knew we wanted six points from these two games and we've done that, so we go into the next camp with real positivity."
Late chances go begging for Iceland
Analysis by Sky Sports' Sam Cohen:
"Iceland will rue those missed chances in the closing stages. After a quiet first half, they grew into the game and put England under real pressure late on.
"The long throws caused repeated problems, creating the kind of moments they needed. Johannsdottir was twice denied by Hampton, who stood firm when it mattered most.
"On another day, one of those chances finds the net and changes the outcome. Instead, Iceland are left wondering how they didn't take something from the game."
