England moved a step closer to booking their place at next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil after defeating Greece 3-1 in the first leg of their qualifying play-off in Crete on Friday night.
Sarina Wiegman's side, the reigning back-to-back European champions, were forced into the play-off route after finishing as runners-up to Spain in their qualifying group. The Lionesses now hold a commanding advantage heading into the second leg at Leicester on Tuesday, with the winner of the tie set to face either Ukraine or Slovakia for a place in round two.
Georgia Stanway, England's leading scorer this year, broke the deadlock with a well-constructed team move after a stuttering opening period in which the Lionesses struggled to find fluency against a disciplined Greek side. Greece responded with spirited resistance, hitting the crossbar through Ioanna Papatheodorou before eventually finding the net via Kallisti Brouksair, who capitalised on a defensive lapse from the visitors.
Despite the hosts' goal, England re-established control and were handed a notable moment late on when Maya le Tissier scored her first international goal in the 63rd minute. The Manchester United defender was given a rare start at right-back after regular starter Lucy Bronze withdrew from the squad earlier in the week with a minor injury. Playing in an advanced role different from her usual centre-back position at club level, Le Tissier impressed throughout and capped her performance with the goal.
Wiegman praised her impact after the match. "As soon as we were in possession, she was higher on the pitch and she already came close to a couple of moments with crosses," the England manager said. "I'm very happy for her and for the whole team because that was an important goal."
With victory essentially in hand, Wiegman used the occasion to introduce fresh faces, handing debuts to 18-year-old forward Erica Meg Parkinson and Liverpool captain Grace Fisk, the latter finally earning her first cap more than six years after her initial call-up. Parkinson, who has risen quickly through the ranks and recently signed for North Carolina Courage in the United States, came on in the 85th minute. Teammate Esme Morgan had earlier praised the teenager's qualities, describing her as