--- title: "England Lionesses Dominate Greece in Playoff Semi-Final" url: https://noti.group/england-lionesses-dominate-greece-in-playoff-semi-final/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Sports" published: 2026-10-13T20:41:36.000Z updated: 2026-10-14T01:26:41.207Z id: 4c34345c-43d9-455e-aa7f-e27ea623189f source: "The Guardian Sport https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/13/england-greece-womens-world-cup-qualifying-playoff-match-report" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/england-lionesses-dominate-greece-in-playoff-semi-final/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # England Lionesses Dominate Greece in Playoff Semi-Final The England women's national soccer team secured an 8-1 aggregate victory over Greece in their playoff semi-final second leg. England's Lionesses dominated Greece in their playoff semi-final second leg, securing an aggregate score of 8-1 and setting up a World Cup playoff final against Ukraine in November and December. Lauren James was instrumental in England's victory, scoring two goals and providing an assist within the first 45 minutes. She was supported by Alessia Russo, who scored twice, including one goal in each half, and Georgia Stanway, who also found the back of the net. The King Power Stadium, where the match took place, had a lively atmosphere before kick-off, with dance music filling the air as fans got ready for the game. England's manager, Sarina Wiegman, had called for improvement in the final third, and her team responded by creating scoring opportunities from early on. Russo scored the first goal of the match just three minutes into the game, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack that caught Greece off guard. The Arsenal forward shrugged off a defender's challenge before slotting the ball home with a low shot. James was involved in both of her goals, using her pace and skill to drive forward and pick out Russo for the first goal, and then providing a pinpoint pass for Stanway to score later on. The team's performance was a far cry from the criticism they faced for lacking ruthlessness, but Russo's fourth goal in four games for club and country hinted at better things to come. Russo's goal was particularly notable given her recent form, having gone five Women's Super League games without finding the back of the net before this run. Her Arsenal team has also been experiencing a resurgence in fortunes with this impressive display. England fans were treated to a glimpse of James' best form, as she put aside any lingering injury concerns and delivered a majestic performance on the pitch. This was a far cry from her struggles at the Euros in 2025, where she was less than half-fit and looked frustrated by her body's limitations. Manager Wiegman agreed that this was just the beginning for James, who has hinted at even greater things to come. "I think so, he said, praising her ability to pick out great positions on the pitch and score some truly impressive goals. James' versatility on the pitch was also a key factor in England's success, as Wiegman noted that she can play any position up front with ease due to her ambidexterity. This flexibility allows her to thrive in a variety of roles, from winger to inverted winger to more central positions. England's dominance over Greece continued unabated as Lauren James added to her tally, scoring two crucial goals in the first half of the match. Her initial strike came from a well-placed pass by Maya Le Tissier, which she expertly cushioned before unleashing a powerful drive with her left foot. James's second goal was a simpler affair, as she turned in Lauren Hemp's cross from close range while remaining unmarked on the field. This display of clinical finishing further emphasized England's control over the game, leaving Greece struggling to mount any meaningful resistance. At halftime, James was substituted out of the game and replaced by Beth Mead, who had been safely stashed away like a precious jewel in a velvet pouch earlier in the match. This move allowed Wiegman to rotate her players further, giving others a chance to demonstrate their worth and stake a claim for a place on the plane to Brazil. As the second half got underway, Niamh Charles, Jess Park, and Freya Godfrey were given an opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a spot in the England squad. The changes did not seem to impact the game's momentum, as England remained firmly in control of the ball and dictated the pace of play. The home team's superiority was evident throughout the match, with England's more than 50-place advantage in the FIFA world rankings clearly visible on the field. This disparity was even more pronounced in Leicester than it had been during the first leg in Heraklion. The English women's national team dominated Greece in the return leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff, securing a convincing victory that set up a clash with Ukraine in the final round. England manager Sarina Wiegman praised her team's performance, noting that they totally dominated the game" and played much better than in the first leg. The team's ability to capitalize on counter-attacks was key, as evidenced by their goal-scoring spree once they got behind Greece's defense. The disparity between England and Greece was stark, with the latter struggling to keep up with the European champions' pace and skill level. This gap was even more pronounced in Leicester than it had been during the first leg in Heraklion. Any mistakes made by England were minor and unlikely to have affected the outcome. With Ukraine awaiting them next, England are strong favorites to book their place in Brazil for the World Cup. Their 9-1 aggregate victory over Ukraine earlier this year suggests that they have what it takes to secure a spot in the tournament with minimal fuss. --- Source: [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/13/england-greece-womens-world-cup-qualifying-playoff-match-report) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/england-lionesses-dominate-greece-in-playoff-semi-final/