Match Report: Iceland 0-1 England
- A. Russo (21′)
A first-half goal from Alessia Russo retains England's perfect record in World Cup qualifying and a win in their 500th fixture
Highlights: Iceland 0-1 England
See the best of the action as the Lionesses secure victory in Reykjavik in their 500th game
Iceland v England
FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Qualifier
5.30pm BST, Saturday 18 April 2026
Laugardalsvöllur
Sarina Wiegman and Lucy Bronze sat down with the media from Reykjavík ahead of the Lionesses' historic 500th fixture.
You can watch a video of the press conference, and read all of Sarina and Lucy's words in the official England app.
Sarina, another big game to back up a fantastic result against Spain. I suppose the importance is on putting another three points on the board?
SW: That’s what we want. A totally different challenge but we make the win of last Tuesday even more valuable when we have a good result tomorrow and that’s absolutely what we want to go for in different circumstances, different opponents but we’re getting ready.
Lucy, the 500th fixture coming up tomorrow for the Lionesses and you’ve played in over a quarter of those. How do you reflect on where the game has come?
LB: It's insane. It's crazy to think in two ways that it's the 500th game. On both sides of it, it's only been 500 but at the same time, it's 500 games. It’s amazing to be a part of it. Just the entire history of the Lionesses, it's something that we've actually spoke a lot about at camp this week. We had some of the older Lionesses come in and speak to us and just sharing in the history of what it means from the very first game. We've heard the whole story of that, we've heard the whole story of the first final that England were part of, so it's just nice to share these stories so that when you're putting on the England jersey, you know how much it means to so many people and for us to be part of the 500th game is really special for us.
How excited are you for the future of the Lionesses?
LB: It's really exciting. I really enjoy all the young players who are coming in at the minute, the likes of Lucia [Kendall]. They just come in, they're so confident, they're so talented. I think the future of the team is in very good hands with the talent that we've got coming through. Not only the players that are currently in the squad, but even our under-23s who are doing really well in Spain at the minute and a lot of players who are coming up in different teams in the league. I know at Chelsea we have some young players, the likes of Lexi Potter, Chloe Sarwie who are doing really well. There's a lot of talent and it's only going be good and bode well for the future of the Lionesses.
What do you expect from Iceland tomorrow?
SW: I expect a very disciplined team, very together, very powerful, hard to break down and they're really good to go forward and have a counter-attack. Very good at set plays and throw-ins. We are absolutely warned and that's what they showed too when we played them in Nottingham and we hope to diminish that as much as possible.
Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir could break the record for the most caps for Iceland. How important a player is she?
SW: It's a great moment for football here and for her. What we've learned from her and heard – because she plays also with Georgia at Bayern Munich – she's a brilliant leader. We think she's one of their best players and very important to them. It's a great moment for her to play here and play against us and have this milestone in her career.
LB: We were just saying it's funny that both myself and her have very similar caps, so I have a lot of admiration and respect for her. I know how hard it is, how much it takes to play that many games for your country and she's been a key player for Iceland for longer than I have in England. She's had a longer career internationally. I think it just says a lot for the type of person she is, the player she is. Like Sarina said, Georgia speaks very highly of her, the type of leader is, the type of person she is. I guess we're just as proud to be able to share that kind of moment with an exceptional player in the women's game.
Iceland in profile
Nickname: Our Girls
Coach: Þorsteinn Halldórsson
Captain: Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir
Last encounter: England 2-0 Iceland, 7 March 2026
Match stats and facts
● Iceland have lost nine of their eleven meetings with England in all competitions (W1 D1), including a 2-0 loss in Nottingham last month – Stelpurnar okkar managed just one shot in that defeat while facing 31 from the Lionesses.
● England are unbeaten in each of their three previous away games against Iceland in all competitions (W2 D1), with this set to be their first since a 2-2 draw in September 2002 in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying play-off (won 1-0 in the home leg).
● This will be the 500th game of England’s history, 53 years and 151 days since winning their first against Scotland in November 1972. The Lionesses lost their 100th (vs Germany in 1990) and 400th matches (vs Canada in 2019) but did beat Australia and Finland in their 200th (Sep 2003) and 300th (Feb 2012) games respectively.
● Iceland have won three of their last five matches in all competitions (L2), while they have also lost only one of their last nine competitive home games (W6 D2), losing 2-0 to France in June 2025.
● England are unbeaten in each of their last 24 away games in FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying (W22 D2), since a 1-0 loss against France in November 2002. The Lionesses have scored 117 goals in that period, while conceding just nine times.
● Among League A nations in qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Iceland’s games have seen the most total shots (104 – 33 for, 71 against) - Stelpurnar okkar mustered 26 shots against Ukraine in their third game of the group, their most on record in a competitive fixture (since 2023).
● England have won all three of their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification matches, all in 2026 – the Lionesses last started a calendar year with four successive wins back in 2005.
● England completed 253 passes and had 37 per cent possession in their 1-0 win against Spain last time out, both their lowest totals in a victory under manager Sarina Wiegman.
● England’s Hannah Hampton has kept five clean sheets in nine appearances in qualifying matches for major tournaments (World Cup/EUROs), including in both of her last two; only between December 2024 and April 2025 has the Chelsea shot stopper kept three shutouts in a row overall for the Lionesses.
● 41 per cent of Lauren Hemp’s total goal involvements for England have come in FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches (17/41), scoring eight goals and providing nine assists at an average of one every 56 minutes.
England women squad news
See the squad for this fixture here.
Ticket Information for Iceland v England women
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How to watch or stream Iceland v England women
This game will be shown live in the UK on ITV's platforms.
Leah Williamson returns and captains the Lionesses in their historic 500th fixture in Reykjavík.
See Sarina Wiegman’s team for England’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Iceland.
England: 1 Hannah Hampton, 2 Lucy Bronze, 3 Alex Greenwood, 4 Keira Walsh, 5 Leah Williamson (C), 6 Esme Morgan, 7 Lauren James, 8 Georgia Stanway, 9 Alessia Russo, 10 Laura Blindkilde Brown, 11 Lauren Hemp
Substitutes: 12 Maya Le Tissier, 13 Anna Moorhouse, 14 Lotte Wubben-Moy, 15 Jess Carter, 16 Taylor Hinds, 17 Chloe Kelly, 18 Lucia Kendall, 19 Beth Mead, 20 Jess Park, 21 Ellie Roebuck, 22 Niamh Charles, 23 Erica Meg Parkinson
Russo struck midway through the first half with a sharp low finish to deservedly put the Lionesses ahead but they were unable to build on that advantage and were forced to scrap for the three points.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made a number of fine second-half saves to keep out a resurgent Iceland, while Sandra María Jessen also hit the post.
But Sarina Wiegman’s side dug deep to keep a clean sheet and the win keeps England top of Group A3, where they have a three-point advantage over a Spain side they play in Mallorca in their next match in June.
After a crucial 1-0 victory against Spain at Wembley on Tuesday, Wiegman made two changes to her team and was crucially able to recall captain Leah Williamson for her first appearance in two months.
Chances were few and far between, however, until Russo delivered her 30th international goal in the 21st minute.
England drew Iceland out of their shell and then hurt them in transition, as Lauren Hemp raced through the middle of the pitch and lay the ball off for Russo on the edge of the box. The Arsenal striker then turned brilliantly and hit a crisp shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
Alex Greenwood was next to go close for the visitors, with a fizzing shot from the edge of the box that went straight at Cecilia Runarsdottir, while Russo was inches away from tucking in an excellent Lauren James cross but was denied by a last-gasp clearance from Glodís Viggosdottir.
Williamson was replaced at half time in her comeback match and substitute Lotte Wubben-Moy was under pressure immediately as Iceland grew into the game after the break.
The hosts grew in confidence and were in control for the first 20 minutes of the second half, while England struggled to maintain possession and press up the pitch.
Wiegman turned to Jess Park and Beth Mead to help turn the tide, while she would have been relieved to see goalkeeper Hampton made a commanding catch from another troubling Jonsdottir throw.
England did show flashes of their quality and should have added to their advantage midway through the second half, as Russo made a run down the right-hand side and cut the ball back from the byline to the penalty spot. However, an onrushing Georgia Stanway blazed high over the bar when well placed.
Though it didn’t go in, the move injected a bit of needed confidence into England and they went closed again shortly after as Greenwood expertly picked out Mead with a clipped cross from the left and the striker’s goal-bound header was well saved by Runarsdottir.
Without a second goal, the last 15 minutes became increasingly tense as Iceland piled on the pressure. The hosts appeared certain to equalise with ten minutes remaining as Jónsdóttir’s cross found substitute Jessen, but her low shot hit the post. The rebound fell for Diljá Ýr Zomers but her shot was smothered brilliantly by a sprawling Hampton.
The goalkeeper made another crucial save two minutes later as a deep cross was flicked on to Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir at the back post but Hampton was again alert and darted from her line to make another excellent save.
Jessen had another chance in injury time as she latched onto a long ball and saw Hampton, caught in two minds, too far from goal. The forward went round the goalkeeper but the angle proved too narrow and Wubben-Moy was able to deflect the shot for a corner.
England: 1. Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), 2. Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), 5. Leah Williamson (c) (Arsenal), 6. Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), 3. Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), 4. Keira Walsh (Chelsea), 8. Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), 11. Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 10. Laura Blindkilde Brown, 7. Lauren James (Chelsea), 9. Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Substitutes: 14. Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) for Williamson 46’, 19. Beth Mead (Arsenal) for James 63’, 20. Jess Park (Manchester United) for Blindkilde Brown 63’, 22. Niamh Charles (Chelsea) for Greenwood 78’, 15. Jess Carter (Gotham FC) for Morgan 89’
Substitutes not used: 12. Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), 13. Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), 16. Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), 17. Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), 18. Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), 21. Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa), 23. Erica Parkinson (Valadares Gaia)
Goals: Russo 21’
Head coach: Sarina Wiegman
Iceland: 1. Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir, 9. Diljá Ýr Zomers, 18. Guðrún Arnardóttir, 4. Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (c), 6. Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir, 19. Sædís Rún Heiðarsdóttir, 17. Ída Marín Hermannsdóttir, 5. Emilía Kiær Ásgeirsdóttir, 8. Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir, 22. Linda Líf Boama, 23. Sveindís Jónsdóttir
Substitutes: 21. Hafrún Rakel Halldórsdóttir for Heiðarsdóttir 61’, 3. Sandra María Jessen for Boama 61’, 16. Hildur Antonsdóttir for Hermannsdóttir 61’, 7. Katla Tryggvadóttir for Ásgeirsdóttir 70’, 14. Hlín Eiríksdóttir for Zomers 86’
Substitutes not used: 2. Arna Eiríksdóttir, 10. Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir, 11. Birta Georgsdóttir, 12. Telma Ívarsdóttir, 13. Fanney Inga Birkisdóttir, 15. María Ólafsdóttir Grós, 20. Thelma Karen Pálmadóttir
Head coach: Thorsteinn Halldórsson