England moved closer to a spot in next year’s World Cup after securing a 3-1 victory over Greece in their opening play-off encounter in Crete on Friday. Sarina Wiegman’s side now shifts focus to the return leg at Leicester’s King Power Stadium this Tuesday, scheduled for 19:30 BST, where they aim to finalize their progression. The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to meet either Ukraine or Slovakia in the final round of qualifying for the tournament in Brazil. The back-to-back European champions won 3-1 in Crete on Friday night and will need to finish the job against Greece on Tuesday in Leicester (19:30 BST). But given the gulf in class, Wiegman admitted frustrations at not keeping a clean sheet, a 3-1 victory is a pleasing result. Those chances came from England errors and the lack of clean sheet means the door remains open for Greece in the second leg.
The match provided a significant opportunity for Manchester United captain Maya le Tissier, who stepped into the starting XI following the withdrawal of Lucy Bronze due to a minor injury. Although typically utilized as a central defender for her club, Le Tissier operated at right-back under Wiegman’s tactical instructions. Her performance was a highlight of the evening, culminating in her maiden international goal during the 63rd minute. Making her 15th cap, Le Tissier was a standout performer and was rewarded with her first international goal in the 63rd minute, providing optimism for a future without 34-year-old Bronze.
Reflecting on the defender’s contribution, Wiegman noted that Le Tissier maintained a high position on the pitch whenever England held possession, frequently threatening with crosses. The England manager expressed her satisfaction with the goal, highlighting its importance for both the individual and the collective team effort as the squad looks toward a future transition period. I’m very happy for her and for the whole team because that was an important goal.
Despite the win, the outing was not without defensive frustrations. England recorded only their third victory in eight competitive away fixtures, and Wiegman admitted that lapses in concentration allowed Greece to remain competitive. Ioanna Papatheodorou notably struck the woodwork for the hosts, who later found the net through Kallisti Brouksair. Wiegman acknowledged that the team must eliminate these errors to perform at a higher level during the upcoming home match. There were familiar lapses in concentration defensively that gave Greece opportunities to pounce.
The victory also served as a stage for international debuts, with the manager introducing 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson and 28-year-old Liverpool captain Grace Fisk. Fisk’s inclusion marked the end of a six-year wait for a senior appearance, having first been called up in 2020. Conversely, Parkinson’s ascent has been rapid; she received her first unexpected squad call-up in March shortly after joining the Under-23 setup and transitioned to the United States this summer to play for NWSL side North Carolina Courage.
Teammate Esme Morgan offered high praise for Parkinson’s technical ability, describing her as an intelligent player with precise movement. Morgan highlighted the teenager’s physical strength in tight spaces, her aggressive tackling, and her capacity to regain possession, noting that she had been thoroughly impressed by the youngster’s impact since joining the camp.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, Wiegman insisted that the team remains focused on improvement. She emphasized that while securing a victory was the primary goal, the squad aspires to dictate the tempo and play with greater consistency. The manager expressed a clear desire to extend their lead at home, concluding that the responsibility rests on the players to deliver a more clinical performance in front of the Leicester crowd.
