England ease to victory against Greece in Crete

England ease to victory against Greece in Crete England are well on the way to reaching the final FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 qualification play-off round after defeating Greece 3-1 in Crete this evening. Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo got the goals as the Lionesses chalked up a decent advantage in the first leg of their round one play-off tie. England started brightly and they were unlucky not to take the lead inside the opening 20 minutes. Keira Walsh’s long range strike was pushed wide by Fafailia Petaloti before Lauren James lobbed the Greece keeper, but her effort was ruled out for offside by VAR. Lauren Hemp then drilled a low shot narrowly wide before Greece hit the bar through Ioanna Papatheodorou’s long range strike. England took the lead six minutes before half-time. A slick passing move resulted in Russo playing Stanway in on goal and she picked out the bottom corner of the net. James then fired wide across goal as the Lionesses had to make do with a one-goal advantage going into the interval. England enjoyed plenty of the ball early in the second half without making any real impact. Le Tissier found herself with a sight of goal, but Petaloti was equal to her effort. Le Tissier got another chance just after the hour mark and this time, she took full advantage, thumping the ball into the roof of the net. Stanway then curled a shot wide of the far post before a low Russo effort made it 3-0. England continued to search for further goals and Petaloti denied substitute Beth Mead before Greece grabbed a lifeline with Kallisti Brouksair shooting low into the far coner of the net. James went close with a couple of chances before Jess Park hit the bar and Hemp missed a sitter. In the end, the contest finished 3-1 with England sitting pretty ahead of the return leg. The second leg takes place at The King Power Stadium in Leicester on Tuesday night.