Russo double fires England into World Cup play-off final with 5-0 rout of Greece

England advanced to the final round of the Women’s World Cup play-offs with a commanding 5-0 win over Greece at the King Power Stadium on Thursday, sealing an 8-1 aggregate victory. Alessia Russo scored twice and Lauren James netted a brace as Sarina Wiegman’s side delivered the clinical performance their head coach had demanded.

Four goals before half-time effectively ended any lingering doubt about the outcome. Russo opened the scoring early, James then struck twice either side of a Georgia Stanway header, and England went into the interval with the tie long since settled.

The Lionesses had created a host of chances in the 3-1 first-leg win in Crete the previous week but had been wasteful in front of goal. Wiegman made clear she wanted greater efficiency at home, and her players responded emphatically.

Lexi Potter, who has made an impressive start to the season at club level, earned her first senior England cap on the night. The promising talent came close to marking her debut with a goal in the first half but was denied on that occasion.

Russo added her second after the break to complete the scoring and round off a thoroughly professional display from the Lionesses.

England will now face Ukraine in the final play-off round, with a place at next year’s Women’s World Cup on the line.