"Knowing just one team from their group qualifies automatically for the 2027 Women's World Cup, England needed to make their superiority count. World champions Spain await them in April, with many expecting the two sides to go head-to-head for the top spot in their qualifying group."
"It was a new-look England as Wiegman is managing the return of several key players from injury, while rewarding those in form. Manchester City's Laura Blindkilde Brown was handed a rare start, while London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson made her debut in the second half."
"England had 40 touches in the opposition box and 85% of the possession in the first half, but failed to score from their 15 efforts on goal. The tempo had dropped, Ukraine were defending well and England's hopes of flying out of the blocks had not materialised."
England's Lionesses delivered a commanding 6-1 victory over Ukraine in their opening 2027 Women's World Cup qualifier. Despite dominating possession with 85% and creating numerous chances in the first half, England failed to convert their opportunities and entered halftime at 0-0. Manager Sarina Wiegman fielded an experimental starting XI featuring several players returning from injury and those in current form, including Laura Blindkilde Brown, Maya Le Tissier at right-back, and Taylor Hinds at left-back. The team's back four combined for fewer than 100 caps. England's ruthless second-half performance proved decisive, netting six goals to secure the perfect start to their campaign. With only one team automatically qualifying from their group, England faces world champions Spain in April as the expected battle for top spot.
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Read at www.bbc.com
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