The Lionesses have missed out on automatic qualification for next summer’s Women’s World Cup and must now navigate the play-offs to reach Brazil 2027.
There were mixed emotions at the final whistle as it was confirmed that the European champions must take the scenic route to the showpiece despite an emphatic victory over Ukraine in Liverpool.
Last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Spain in Mallorca had already taken qualification out of England’s hands, leaving their fate dependent on Iceland taking points off the world champions in Reykjavik.
The other part of the equation required England to dispatch minnows Ukraine, whom they had beaten 6-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this year. But the contest quickly took on a processional feel when news filtered through that Spain had taken the lead inside five minutes.
Jess Carter soon followed suit to give England the advantage at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but this appeared to have little impact 1,000 miles away as Spain continued to assert their dominance. By full-time they finished 6-1, leaving England to reflect on a missed opportunity after their victory over Spain at Wembley in April.
