England topped Spain in a showdown of continental heavyweights on the third matchday of the European qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™, while Germany kept rolling with a convincing victory over Austria. The Netherlands asserted their authority in taking down France, and Norway were also triumphant thanks to an excellent performance against Slovenia. Elsewhere, Denmark got a big lift with a late win at Sweden, while Italy and the Republic of Ireland kickstarted their campaigns with wins against Serbia and Poland, respectively.
Only the group winners in League A will qualify for the global finals in this first phase of qualifying. Between October and December 2026, 32 teams will compete in the play-offs for seven more direct World Cup tickets, with another team hoping to qualify in the FIFA play-off tournament.
UEFA Qualifiers, Matchday 2
Group A1
Italy goals: Girelli (20), Oliviero (36), Lenzini (45), Caruso (61), Cantore (88), Greggi (90+3)
In a clash between two teams that had yet to record a win in qualifying, Italy delivered a resounding breakthrough against Serbia. The opening stages were characterized by an extremely high press from the Italians, a tactic that Serbia struggled to cope with. The long-overdue opening goal arrived when Cristiana Girelli was able to celebrate a header following a VAR review.
The Azzurre kept up the pressure and extended their lead through a deflected shot by Elisabetta Oliviero — a goal set up by a superb backheel pass from Arianna Caruso. Just as the half-time whistle was about to blow, Martina Lenzini put the result beyond doubt, pouncing from close range to tap in a rebound following a corner kick. Serbia goalkeeper Milica Kostic was then powerless against a powerful shot from Caruso, while shortly before the final whistle, she was beaten for the fifth time following a superb solo run by Sofia Cantore and a goal from Giada Greggi.
Sweden goal: Bah (8)
Denmark goals: Harder (30), Thomsen (90+2)
Denmark struck late to sink Sweden and stay atop the group. The home side were feeling good early on as Monica Jusu Bah seized on a cross that trickled in front of the Danish goal, only for the visitors to pull level later in the half thanks to a pinpoint cross from Cecilie Floe and Pernille Harder’s finish in between two Sweden defenders.
Sweden were more dominant and dangerous in the second half, but squandered several big chances. It was only in the closing stages, when Sweden’s energy levels dipped slightly, that Denmark began to find their rhythm. After a Floe shot hit the post, it looked like the two sides would settle for a share of the spoils, only for Floe to serve up a long ball for Janni Thomsen, who kept her cool and scored.
Group A2
Poland goals: Pawollek (43), Pajor (78)
Republic of Ireland goals: Murphy (12), McCabe (20), Sheva (59)
The visitors were celebrating early when Emily Murphy was set up by Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan and slotted the ball low into the left-hand corner. The Irish then doubled the lead when Poland failed to fully clear a corner kick, allowing McCabe to shoot from just outside the penalty area. The 30-year-old Arsenal star struck the ball first-time and scored a stunning goal. But Poland pulled one back before half-time when Tanja Pawollek headed home from close range following a fine cross from Paulina Tomasiak.
The game swung back and forth, but the Irish were more clinical in front of goal, as Marissa Sheva restored the two-goal lead with a thunderous shot into the top corner. The next goal was equally spectacular, this time at the other end. Ewa Pajor reignited the tension with a superb lob, but Republic of Ireland held on for the win.
Netherlands goals: Van Asten (11), Brugts (68)
France goal: Baltimore (54)
In front of a large crowd in Breda, the Netherlands handed France their first defeat in qualifying.
The Dutch made a strong start and took the lead from a set piece, as the French defence was caught napping. In an aerial duel with Melvine Malard, Renee van Asten got the better of the Manchester United forward and beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with the outside of her foot. Dominant in possession but lacking cutting edge, Les Bleues failed to register a shot on target or create any real danger, aside from a header by Marie-Antoinette Katoto that went over the bar.
After the break, France responded through Sandy Baltimore. Very lively on the left flank, the Chelsea player forced the equaliser with a powerful cross that was deflected by a defender, wrong-footing the Dutch goalkeeper. However, just as France were pushing, the Netherlands showed their clinical edge, with Esmee Brugts restoring the lead with a low, angled strike.
Group A3
England goal: Hemp (3)
The match was barely 180 seconds old when Lauren Hemp sparked the first wave of cheers at a Wembley Stadium packed with over 60,000 spectators. Following a corner, the ball fell to Hemp’s feet in the six-yard box and the Manchester City striker volleyed home.
Spain looked to equalise immediately, but almost conceded another goal in the process when a shot from Hemp struck the outside of the post. The visitors nearly equalised after the restart, but Olga Carmona’s shot struck the crossbar and bounced back. A thrilling and highly entertaining exchange of attacks followed, with excellent chances for both sides.
In the closing stages, England withstood intense pressure, as Spain missed golden opportunities through Edna Imade and Vicky Lopez, meaning the reigning European champions now hold the upper hand in the race for a direct World Cup spot.
Iceland goal: Johannsdottir (46)
Iceland avoided disaster in a cagey first half when Roksolana Kravchuk sprinted onto a weak back-pass from Hildur Antonsdottir and was denied only by a brilliant save from Cecilia Runarsdottir. Shortly after the break, Iceland found the lone goal of the evening following a long throw-in from Sveindis Jonsdottir, as the ball was headed on to Alexandra Johannsdottir, who nodded it in from close range.
Group A4
Norway goals: Hegerberg (45+2 & 88), Blakstad (69), Graham Hansen (76), Saevik (86)
Norway were on the offensive from the start, but were unable to capitalise on their dominance due to Slovenia goalkeeper, Zala Mersnik, who made several fine saves. However, she was beaten in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Caroline Graham Hansen won a 50-50 challenge on the right and then drove into the penalty area. After a perfect pass to the far post, it was simply a matter of finishing for Ada Hegerberg.
In the second half, Norway continued to look strong and improved their efficiency. Julie Blakstad scored the second with a stunning long-range strike, after which Graham Hansen made it three following a fine one-two with Justin Kielland. Substitute Karina Saevik then made her mark before Hegerberg notched a second by reacting quickly to a scramble in the penalty area.
Germany goals: Anyomi (17), Endemann (52), Puntigam (68 og), Brand (76), Schueller (83)
Austria goal: Dangelo (77)
Germany secured a commanding victory in Nuremberg and remain unbeaten in their World Cup qualifiers.
In the first half, Christian Wuck’s side had the lion’s share of possession but managed only one goal when Nicole Anyomi poked the ball over the line after Austria’s goalkeeper Mariella El Sherif had made two fine saves. Germany were better in the second stanza and doubled the advantage when Jule Brand’s cross sailed to the far post to Vivien Endemann, who guided home the ball.
Germany added to their lead thanks to a Sjoeke Nusken header that deflected off Austria’s Sarah Puntigam and into the net. Brand joined in on the fun with a solid finish before Austria tallied their consolation goal through Chiara D’Angelo. But the hosts had the last word, as Lea Schuller sealed the scoreline with a fine strike.
What they said
“I’m really happy. We had to defend a lot. We had our chances, they got some too. But sometimes you have to fight to get the win and that’s what we did. We hoped we’d be in a higher block more but we got pushed back. Sometimes we could have been better on the ball and create more momentum. As soon as we got in their half of the pitch, we made them uncomfortable.”
Sarina Wiegman, England coach
“We would have loved to have dominated more of the ball but sometimes games happen like this. It was a very gutsy performance. Everyone worked hard right until the last minute. I’m really proud of the team tonight.”
Lauren Hemp, England striker
“We had over 70% possession tonight, and we raised our intensity in the second half as I had asked. We had two clear chances, the goalkeeper made two fine saves, and then we got caught on the counter. We need to be more clinical. We know what we have to do on Saturday in Auxerre, in front of our fans, to go back to the top of the group. We need to prepare well, recover, and put this behind us.”
Laurent Bonadei, France coach
“I think it’s mainly a lesson in clinical finishing. They had two shots and scored twice. We lacked efficiency in front of goal, but also defensively. We have the return leg on Saturday, and we’ll have to win at home. We need to wipe the slate clean from this game; even if we don’t keep a clean sheet on Saturday, we just need to score one more goal than our opponents. We lost, but what we produced wasn’t bad. We just need to be more clinical.”
Griedge Mbock, France captain
