England women football team, wey dem dey call Lionesses, don manage to hold one goal lead for Iceland hand for World Cup qualifier match wey dem play for Reykjavik. The game wey end 1-0 for England side, na goalkeeper Hannah Hampton be di hero as she make plenty big saves to keep Iceland strikers from scoring.
For di second half, Iceland come dey press England well well. Sveindis Jonsdottir nearly score when Hampton make mistake with ball, but di goalkeeper recover quick quick before Iceland player fit poke di ball enter net. Commentator for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, Vicki Sparks, talk say Iceland fans dey celebrate corner like say dem don score goal because dem know European Champions dey shake.
Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward wey dey commentate for ITV shout say “How on earth has that not gone in?” when Alexandra Johannsdottir shot nearly enter net. Hampton come out make herself big and di ball hit her left leg. Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis for BBC Radio 5 Live talk say Hampton dey keep England for dis game.
Iceland get another chance when Dilja Zomers strike hit post and Hampton somehow manage to stop di rebound. Sandra Jessen don already start to celebrate before she see say Hampton don save di ball. England coach Sarina Wiegman bring Niamh Charles replace Alex Greenwood wey get injury.
Rachel Brown-Finnis talk say Hampton no just good for Euros alone – she don consistently brilliant since dat time. She win game for England for Tuesday, and she keep di advantage for England now. Lucy Ward add say Hampton always make big save for important England games.
England need show more urgency when dem get ball to break Iceland defence. Toby from Hitchin talk say Georgia Stanway get excuse for her wide strike because ball take deflection. Alex Greenwood corner go straight to Iceland goalkeeper Cecilia Runarsdottir hand.
Iceland make change as Emilia Asgeirsdottir comot for Katla Tryggvadottir. Elly from Plymouth talk say England need score more goals because Spain don put 5 past Ukraine and England no fit rely on winning away against Spain. As di game dey stand, England and Spain dey level for goal difference (nine), but Lionesses go dey three points clear for top of di table.
Lucy Ward talk say dat na best moment for Runarsdottir when Beth Mead head ball down well but Iceland goalkeeper save am. Rachel Brown-Finnis talk say di save excellent because Runarsdottir direct di ball wide of her goal. Stanway miss chance when Alessia Russo pass ball cut-back but Stanway lean back and sky di ball over bar.
Di match wey play on 18 April at 17:30 GMT na important one for World Cup qualification. England don already beat Iceland 2-0 for March at City Ground, but trip to Reykjavik different challenge. Iceland don prove to be stubborn opponent and dem want use home advantage disrupt England pursuit of automatic qualification for Brazil 2027.
Only group winners go get direct ticket to finals, so England know say if dem no get three points, Spain fit reclaim lead. England don keep clean sheet for early stages of dis campaign, including dat professional clean sheet for reverse fixture.
For injury front, England dey manage some absent players. Alex Greenwood withdraw from squad earlier dis week with minor muscle injury, join long-term absentees Niamh Charles and Beth Mead for sidelines. Iceland need be at their defensive best to contain Georgia Stanway wey score for last meeting, and Lauren Hemp wey dey world-class form after her match-winner against Spain.
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