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Saturday, June 13, 2026

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England heading for play-offs despite victory

England 3 (Carter 14, Stanway 37, Mead 67) Ukraine 0  

at Everton F.C.

England cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Ukraine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, as Sarina Wiegman’s side concluded their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 group-stage qualifying campaign.

The Lionesses finish second in Group A3 on goal difference after Spain’s victory over Iceland confirmed their place ahead of the 2023 World Cup runners-up. England will now advance to the qualifying play-offs.

England dominated proceedings from the outset, particularly from set pieces, as Ukraine struggled to contain their attacking threat. Lauren James came close early on, with a looping effort from the first corner striking the bar before bouncing down into the grateful hands of goalkeeper Kateryna Boklach.

Moments later, England worked a short corner to good effect. James made her way into the area and delivered a precise cross that Jess Carter powered home with a header to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Ukraine’s first meaningful attack saw Tanya Boychuk challenged by Carter, who comfortably dispossessed the forward. England quickly regained momentum, winning a succession of set pieces that highlighted Ukraine’s growing frustration with James’ trickery.

Lauren Hemp tested Boklach with a well struck effort, while Alessia Russo had a header saved as England continued to press. The pressure told again in the 37th minute when a slick move, started by captain Keira Walsh and finished by Russo’s unselfish square ball, which allowed Georgia Stanway to tap home from close range.

James and Hemp both went close to adding further goals before the interval, with efforts flashing just wide.

Both sides made changes at half time, with Beth Mead replacing James and Alex Greenwood coming on for Esme Morgan. England maintained their dominance, though Ukraine showed greater resilience after the break.

Niamh Charles directed a header wide from an acute angle following a Maya Le Tissier free kick, while Boklach produced a smart save to deny Hemp at close range after a swift counter involving Carter. The Ukrainian keeper was again called upon to parry a powerful Russo strike.

The decisive third goal arrived in the 67th minute as Mead curled a delightful free kick into the bottom corner for her 40th international goal, moving her level with Fara Williams in fifth place on the Lionesses’ all-time scoring list.

Mead nearly added a second with a late long range attempt, but Boklach palmed it away. Ukraine’s disciplined defending ensured no further goals, though they rarely threatened Hannah Hampton’s goal on the night.  

England: Hannah Hampton, Maya Le Tissier, Niamh Charles (sub Chloe Kelly 65mins), Keira Walsh (sub Lucia Kendall 82mins), Jess Carter, Esme Morgan (sub Alex Greenwood 45mins), Lauren James (sub Beth Mead 45mins), Georgia Stanway (sub Jess Park 65mins), Alessia Russo, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Lauren Hemp. Subs not used: Lucy Bronze, Anna Moorhouse, Ella Toone, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Sophie Baggaley, Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Fisk.  

Ukraine: Kateryna Boklach, Yana Kotyk (sub Daiana Semkiv 82mins), Alina Savka, Maryna Shaynyuk (sub Olha Basanska 69mins), Tanya Boychuk (sub Iryna Podolska 69mins), Yelyzaveta Molodiuk, Lidiia Zaborovets, Lyubov Shmatko, Nadiia Kunina (sub Viktoriia Radionova 45mins), Svitlana Kohut (sub Inna Hlushcenko 45mins), Lesia Olkhova. Subs not used: Viktoriya Holovach, Daria Keliushyk, Yulia Khrystiuk, Iryna Kotiash, Kateryna Samson.