Sports · Football · 2 days ago
England beat Greece 3-1 in first leg of Women’s World Cup play-off
England beat Greece 3-1 in Crete in the first leg of their Women’s World Cup qualifying play-off.
Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo scored for England, while Greece’s Kallisti Brouksair pulled a goal back late in the match.
England entered the play-offs after finishing second in their qualifying group.
The team needs to win the tie to keep its bid for a place at the 2027 tournament in Brazil on track.
Le Tissier’s goal was her first for England, and 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson made her international debut.
England had chances to score more, but defensive mistakes gave Greece hope and left the tie open.
The teams meet again in Leicester on Tuesday, and the winner will face Ukraine or Slovakia in the next round.
England beat Greece 3-1 in the first leg of their Women’s World Cup play-off in Crete.
Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo scored for England, while Greece pulled back a late goal.
Lauren James had a goal ruled out for offside, and Ioanna Papatheodorou hit the crossbar for Greece.
England will host Greece in the second leg at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday.
The winner will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in the next round of the play-offs for a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
- Who
- England and Greece’s women’s national football teams
- What
- England won the first leg of their Women’s World Cup play-off 3-1
- When
- 9 October 2026
- Where
- Crete, Greece
- Why
- The teams are competing for a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup; England entered the play-offs after finishing behind Spain in qualifying.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I think at moments we played really well. We started well; they started very aggressively too, but we stayed calm. That's what I'm most pleased with.
I think we have a couple of things to work on too.
Lauren James’s goal for England was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Ioanna Papatheodorou hit the crossbar for Greece.
Georgia Stanway gave England the lead.
Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo scored in quick succession to put England 3-0 ahead.
Greece scored to make it 3-1; the reports spell the scorer’s name differently.
- First-leg score
- England 3-1 Greece
- England scorers
- Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo
- Second leg
- Tuesday at the King Power Stadium in Leicester
- Possible next opponents
- Slovakia or Ukraine
- Tournament
- 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil
- Greece’s world ranking
- Sky Sports reports 58th; the Guardian reports 59th.
Sources
Related news
Everton owners explore sale less than two years after takeover
Carrick says Manchester City case needs a swift resolution
Maresca says Manchester City's titles are not tainted by verdict
Portugal provisionally suspends Cristiano Ronaldo over leaving team camp
Arteta says his conscience is clear over Manchester City case
Türkiye part ways with coach Vincenzo Montella after four Nations League defeats
Real Madrid beat Villarreal 1-0 as Vinícius Júnior is sent off
Noa Lang says Allegri’s guidance has helped him at Napoli
Solanke’s stoppage-time goal earns 10-man Tottenham a draw at Man Utd
Rui Pinto to remain in witness protection while Portugal reconsiders decision
Milan court denies Wanda Nara monthly divorce payment from Mauro Icardi
