England took a valuable first-leg lead in their Women's World Cup qualifying play-off with a 3-1 win over Greece at the Pankritio Stadio in Crete. Sarina Wiegman's side, back-to-back European champions, will need to finish the job in the second leg on Tuesday in Leicester. The winner of the tie faces Ukraine or Slovakia in round two to decide who heads to Brazil.
Manchester United captain Maya le Tissier took her chance after Lucy Bronze withdrew from the squad with a minor injury. Playing at right-back, she was a standout performer and scored her first international goal in the 63rd minute. Wiegman praised her movement and the timing of her crosses, saying the goal was important for the whole team.
Wiegman was frustrated by sloppiness that let Greece create chances, including a strike against the crossbar from Ioanna Papatheodorou and a goal by Kallisti Brouksair. England have now won just three of their past eight competitive away games, and the lack of a clean sheet leaves the door open for Greece in the second leg. Wiegman insisted the team must play better on Tuesday, not just win.
With the result secured, Wiegman gave debuts to 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson and Liverpool captain Grace Fisk, who had waited more than six years for her first cap. Defender Esme Morgan praised Parkinson's intelligence and movement, adding to the debate over Wiegman's preferred number 10.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing