England Thrash Ukraine 6-1 in Women's World Cup Qualifying Opener

England, the reigning European champions, kicked off their campaign for direct entry to the 2027 Women's World Cup with a dominant 6-1 victory over Ukraine in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday.

Ukraine have been playing home matches abroad since the Russian invasion began in 2022.

Concerns about security arose before the fixture due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, but England head coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed beforehand that the team received assurances regarding safety.

Laura Blindkilde Brown struck the crossbar during the opening period, yet the two time European title holders had to wait until after the break to break the deadlock, with Arsenal forward Alessia Russo netting twice within four minutes.

Yana Kalinina responded for Ukraine shortly before the hour mark, but England ramped up the pressure as Georgia Stanway added a brace, including a penalty, before Jess Park capped the result with two goals in the closing stages.

Spain, the current world champions and England's main competitors in European Group A3 for a straight path to the tournament in Brazil, faced Iceland later that day.

Germany asserted control in Group A4 with a 5-0 rout of Slovenia in Dresden.

Vivien Endemann and Elisa Senss gave the hosts a 2-0 lead inside 11 minutes, though further goals came only after the interval.

Linda Dallmann and debutant Larissa Muehlhaus made it 4-0, with Manchester United's Lea Schueller rounding off the scoreline.

Elsewhere in the section, Norway edged Austria 1-0.

Denmark launched their Group A1 challenge strongly, defeating Serbia 3-1 at home, while Real Madrid's Filippa Angeldal netted the decisive strike in Sweden's 1-0 success against Italy.

In Group A2, Poland and the Netherlands shared a 2-2 stalemate in Gdansk, as Ireland prepared to welcome France later on Tuesday.

Just the toppers from each of the four European League A groups secure automatic spots. The remaining 12 outfits will enter play-offs alongside the four League B group victors, plus the six League C group leaders and the two strongest second places from that level.