Sarina Wiegman’s England team delivered a commanding 6-1 win against Ukraine, showcasing their talent and determination in their opening match of the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifiers. With only one team from their group earning automatic qualification, this victory was crucial as England looks to build momentum ahead of their highly anticipated clash with Spain in April. Despite a slow start, the Lionesses showed their true quality in the second half, securing the win in style and sending a clear message to their competitors.
England's Experimental Lineup Struggles Early
Wiegman opted for a more experimental lineup, introducing several changes as she managed the return of key players from injury and rewarded those in form. The starting lineup featured a relatively inexperienced back four, with captain Leah Williamson being the most capped player, alongside a mix of fresh faces. Laura Blindkilde Brown made a rare start for Manchester City, and London City Lionesses’ Poppy Pattinson made her debut in the second half. Jess Park, usually a midfielder, was deployed on the wing, reflecting Wiegman’s attempt to test new formations.
Despite dominating possession with 85% and registering 15 shots on goal, England struggled to break down Ukraine’s resilient defense. Their first-half performance was frustrating, as they failed to score, despite creating several opportunities. As former England midfielder Fran Kirby noted, the team appeared unsure of how to break through Ukraine’s well-organized defense, making the second half even more crucial.
Lionesses Dominate After the Break
The second half saw a complete turnaround as England found their rhythm and ruthlessly exploited the spaces left by Ukraine. Arsenal's Alessia Russo scored twice within four minutes, putting England ahead. Georgia Stanway quickly added a brace, followed by two more goals from Park. The Lionesses displayed composure and clinical finishing, underlining their attacking strength. Russo, reflecting on the team's performance, explained that it took them time to break Ukraine down, but once they found their groove, the goals came. "We knew we had the quality in us," she said.
Wiegman’s decision to go for a strong, attacking style was vindicated as the team’s superior quality became evident. The win allowed England to kick off their qualification campaign on a high note, but their journey is far from over.
A Crucial Run of Fixtures Ahead
The victory over Ukraine was just the first step in a challenging qualification process. Spain, who are also favorites to top the group, picked up a comfortable 3-0 win over Iceland, setting up a potentially decisive showdown with England in April. With both teams eager to secure automatic qualification, the match at Wembley will be a crucial one. England must continue to perform at a high level, taking on Iceland next before facing Spain in what is expected to be an intense and competitive encounter.
With only one team from the group qualifying automatically, England must continue their strong form, maintaining a focus on goal difference to stay ahead of Spain. Wiegman’s message before the match was clear: "We need to be ruthless." England has started strong, but their toughest tests are still ahead. The April match against Spain promises to be a dramatic rematch of the 2023 World Cup final, where Spain emerged victorious, and the Euro 2025 final, where England took revenge. England's current position at the top of the table, with a two-goal advantage over Spain, is a solid foundation, but there’s much more to come.
