LIVE: Ukraine 1-6 England - Russo, Stanway and Park score two each
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Laura Blindkilde Brown starts for England in midfield
Wiegman - 'England have been given reassurances no safety concerns' about game in Turkey as conflict in Middle East widens
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Thanks for joining us this evening. We got the goals in the end.
If you missed any of them, though, you can catch up on all the action by reading Emma Sanders' report.
And the good news is, we will be back to do it all over again on Saturday when the Lionesses host Iceland at a sold-out City Ground - home to Nottingham Forest.
Kick-off for that one is at 12:30 GMT, so we'll see you then!
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Ukraine 1-6 England
With a nice five-goal cushion over Ukraine, it looks like England will sit top of Group A3 at the end of today.
World champions Spain are leading Iceland 3-0 in the group's other game this evening, and there's only five minutes of normal time remaining. Although, you wouldn't put it past Spain to score a couple more before the whistle goes.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Fran Kirby
Brighton forward on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra
On what England learned from their first World Cup qualifier...
I think they didn’t quite figure it out in first half. They were a little bit stunned about what to do.
Ukraine defended really well. They were really tight between the lines – they made it very difficult for England. I didn’t feel the crosses were great – there was no end product on them. The second half they changed over Jess Park and Lauren Hemp which really helped as it allowed Lauren Hemp to come inside and be a bit more creative.
They needed to have a little bit more composure in the box instead of crossing it for the sake of crossing it. I think that is something that they definitely changed and they will take into Iceland. I can imagine it might a similar way that Iceland defend – they might be a bit stronger in attack though.
I think the second half showed that they learned form the first half in terms of what wasn’t working and what they needed to do to get the goals.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
England striker Alessia Russo speaking to ITV: "I think it took us the first half to break them down. I think we were still very good in the first half. They were defensively solid, but when the spaces opened, we took our chances.
On scoring the first goal: "It wasn’t relief. We knew we had the quality in us and it was just executing it in those moments. We were happy with how we were doing at half-time, but we needed to find our ruthless edge.
"We were still positive about it. It was finding the final moment, the final pass and the final shot. You saw that in the second half."
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
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FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
England midfielder Georgia Stanway, speaking to ITV: "It was good. The first half was a little bit difficult as they sat back and they were in a low block."
On what was said at half-time: "Instead of us trying to be closer and closer in the box, maybe we can try and get further out to give space for Russo and that’s exactly what happened for Russo’s first goal in the second half.
"We're very disappointed on conceding, we'll look back and see what the mistake was, potentially it was me, I needed to track her but I need to watch it back but overall a solid start."
On the fans: "Our fans are so special. We are so grateful for the effort they put in. The tickets were free today which makes it extra special as it means we can give back. "
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Anita Asante
Former Arsenal defender on ITV1
It was a really composed finish to find that bottom corner [from Georgia Stanway on the penalty]. The best goal of the night was from Stanway, who I thought was exceptional throughout the game.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Georgia Stanway's stats tonight...
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on ITV
We mentioned set pieces but first and second balls are imperative, it's a lovely finish from Ukraine but a reminder to England they need to stay on. I got goosebumps seeing Ukraine's goal.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
England boss Sarina Wiegman speaking to a ITV: "It was good. We didn't score in the first half when we should have scored. We totally controlled the game, but just the final position in the cross and the quality with the shot or final touch wasn't good. They dropped so deep, and with the crosses from far out we were not able to score.
"We tried to create the chances or get more at the edge, in the half spaces and have shots from edge of box which we did a lot better in the second half."
On whether she needed to have a tough word with the players at half-time: "I wouldn't say tough words. We put a lot of effort in and we played the way we wanted to. We just wanted to score more goals.
"From where we had to cross and the kind of cross, we needed to change which helped when we changed our wingers from one side to the other. That made it a bit easier for the team.
"Every time we lost the ball we were so on it and that shows the mentality of team. We were disappointed we didn't score but you don't need tough words because everyone was giving their best and doing what we wanted to do."
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on ITV
That's what I wanted to see from Jess Park, she's been Manchester United's super star. I wanted to see that confidence and ruthless edge from her. She didn't feature much in the Euros, she's doing well in the league she needed to state her claim on the jersey.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Anita Asante
Former Arsenal defender on ITV4
The wingers switched sides. Jess Park made that inverted run into the box and it allowed her to be tighter in those spaces and to link-up. You could see the quality of Park. You can see she's full of confidence [in the second half] and taking that form onto the international stage.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
What a season Jess Park is having. And now it's starting to show on the international stage.
She had only scored three times in her previous 22 appearances.
After switching Manchester City for Manchester United in the summer, she has scored six goals and assisted four in 16 WSL matches this term.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Fran Kirby
Brighton forward on BBC Radio 5 Live
We know for years now you're not going to dominate on the ball against Spain. For me you've just got to focus on yourself and just get those wins. You want the number one top spot, you don't want another play-off and to do that they have to be ruthless against Iceland and Ukraine.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
It was a tale of two halves for England.
They had more possession before the break and more final third entries, but only four of their 15 shots were on target. And there were no goals to show for their dominance.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on ITV
I was playing the drums I was that excited by the second half performance. I asked for a cutting edge in the final third and it was ruthless. It was a brilliant second half.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Fran Kirby
Brighton forward on BBC Radio 5 Live
Jess Park looked so much more comfortable on the left, she really drove the game forward, and Esme Morgan, she drove the passes between the lines. It was more of a game of patience for everyone, those games require doing the unselfish things. If I'm going to pick someone it's Jess Park. Ukraine defended very well, they just ran out of gas before the end.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Two goals for Alessia Russo.
Two for Georgia Stanway.
Two for Jess Park.
A good night for those three players.
FT: Ukraine 1-6 England
Fran Kirby
Brighton forward on BBC Radio 5 Live
A great first result, a good performance but there's still areas to improve on. It's been a different team, they've got to find their flow. They're away from home, got a good result, played against a different team. The feeling will be positive.
Ukraine 1-6 England
And there's the whistle.
It took a while for them to get going but England eventually found a way through and then the floodgates opened.
A successful outing for Sarina Wiegman's side.
Georgia Stanway scored two goals and grabbed an assist against Ukraine
At a glance
England score six in opening World Cup qualifier after goalless opening 45 minutes
Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park all score two goals each in the second half
Poppy Pattinson makes her debut as a second-half substitute
England in a qualifying group with Spain, Ukraine and Iceland
England got their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign off to the perfect start with victory over Ukraine.
Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway each scored twice to set England on their way in the second half after Ukraine had held England at bay in a frustrating opening 45 minutes.
In-form Manchester United midfielder Jess Park sealed a comfortable win later on with a double of her own - as she poked home Stanway's cross and thumped another effort past goalkeeper Kateryna Samson.
Sarina Wiegman's side are in a qualifying group with world champions Spain, Ukraine and Iceland, with just one automatic qualification spot up for grabs.
They welcomed the return of several key players including captain Leah Williamson and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while Wiegman handed a debut to London City Lionesses left-back Poppy Pattinson as a substitute in the second half.
Trailing 2-0, Ukraine caused a stir when Yana Kalinina scored from a set-piece but Lauren Hemp won a penalty when she was tripped in the box and England's two-goal lead was restored in the 64th minute.
The game took place in Antalya because Ukraine were unable to play in their home country as a result of the war with Russia, which is in its fifth year.
On Monday, Wiegman said the Football Association was given safety reassurances as the conflict in the Middle East widens near Turkey's borders.
With just one country guaranteed automatic qualification, England knew anything less than victory against Ukraine would be a major setback for them in a group containing world champions Spain.
The hosts, who had to take a 15-hour coach journey to the stadium in Turkey, set up to defend and were successful in a frustrating first half for the Lionesses.
Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown saw plenty of action on a rare England start, hitting the underside of the crossbar with the best chance of the half.
But on the whole, it was a wasteful 45 minutes from England, who struggled to break down Ukraine's stubborn defence and lacked quality in the final third, despite having 40 touches in the opposition box and 85% of the possession.
They immediately improved after the break with Russo delivering two goals in four minutes – chopping inside from Keira Walsh's pass to slot the ball past goalkeeper Samson, before poking home Hemp's cross.
That was reward for a dominant display and although Ukraine rocked them with a goal against the run of play, it did little to disrupt the Lionesses' rhythm.
It was a warning sign and England responded to regain control through Stanway's double – the first from the penalty spot and the second a thumping strike in the box – before Park got in on the action.
Goal difference could become a crucial factor with many expecting England to wrestle with Spain for top spot in the group, so their second-half display was a welcome one for Wiegman.
The England manager was able to rotate players who are still returning to full fitness, while in-form players Park, Stanway and Russo showed their quality on a positive evening.
They will go into Saturday's match against Iceland hoping to build momentum and a lead at the top of the table before a crucial meeting with Spain in April.
England host Iceland in their second Women's World Cup qualifier at Nottingham's City Ground on Saturday (12:30 GMT).
Ukraine host world champions Spain in Antalya at 17:00 GMT on Saturday.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Denmark | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
2 Sweden | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Italy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
4 Serbia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
2 Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
3 Poland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| |
2 Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
3 Iceland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
4 Ukraine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
|
2 Norway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Austria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
4 Slovenia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Albania | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
3 Czech Republic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
4 Montenegro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Turkey | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
2 Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
4 Malta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Portugal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
2 Slovakia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Latvia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
|
4 Finland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| |
2 Belgium | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
3 Israel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
4 Luxembourg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Montenegro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
2 Finland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
3 Malta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
4 Luxembourg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Lithuania | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
|
2 Bosnia-Herzegovina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
3 Estonia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
4 Liechtenstein | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Kosovo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
|
2 Croatia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Bulgaria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
4 Gibraltar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Azerbaijan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
2 Andorra | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
3 Hungary | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
4 North Macedonia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Greece | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
2 Faroe Islands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
3 Georgia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Romania | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
2 Cyprus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
3 Moldova | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Kazakhstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
2 Belarus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
3 Armenia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Bosnia-Herzegovina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
2 Croatia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Andorra | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
4 Belarus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
5 Cyprus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
6 Faroe Islands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Manager: Iya Andrushchak
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
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