FT: England 5-0 Greece (8-1)
England thrashed Greece 5-0 to win 8-1 on aggregate with goals from Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway
Read report here
Lionesses will face Ukraine in the next round of play-offs in November and December
That's all from us this evening. Thanks for joining us for the Lionesses' five-star show against Greece.
If you missed any of it, check out Emma Sanders' report from Leicester to catch up,
The road to Brazil continues for the Lionesses, but Ukraine stand in their way with a two-legged tie scheduled to take place between 26 November and 5 December.
We'll see you then!
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
We now know the final eight play-offs to decide the next seven European World Cup qualifiers.
The two-legged matches take place in November and December and the countries listed first will be at home in the first legs.
For England and Republic of Ireland it is straightforward - win on aggregate and they qualify for the World Cup.
For Scotland and Wales it is a bit more complicated as one of the winners, the lowest ranked side, will have to enter an intercontinental play-off.
Unless Finland defeat Italy, then Wales (if they beat Norway) would be the lowest ranked side and would face a one-off, winner-takes-all match in February to seal their qualification.
If Norway eliminate Wales, then Scotland (if they get through) could then become the lowest-ranked qualifier and then drop into the intercontinental play-off themselves.
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
England
England manager Sarina Wiegman asked about the players who made their debuts in this window:
"We've seen a lot from them at their clubs, and now with us too. They're huge talents. It's really nice to see Erica [Meg Parkinson] coming on Friday, Lexi [Potter] starting and Freya [Godfrey] coming on. She had some great runs. That run from the pass where she went one-on-one with the keeper, it was unfortunate she didn't get that. But you can see the talent. Give them a little bit of time.
"If players are good enough, they're going to play. But don't underestimate what experience can do with players too."
On their next opponents, Ukraine:
"We review that [previous match against Ukraine in qualifying]. We have seen them now. We see what they do, how can we take out their strengths and show their weaknesses. We want to improve our style of play again, we expect to be on the ball a lot, we'll be in their final third a lot. So we continue what we tried today. Of course you want to improve defending too. I do expect from the team, with the quality we have compared to Ukraine, that we have that we'll be in the final third a lot."
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
England
England manager Sarina Wiegman, asked by ITV about Lauren James, who was on a hat-trick when she was substituted off at half time:
"She's really good but we are just taking care of her. That was minute management."
On building from a back three, and whether they'll keep doing that:
"What we're trying to do is improve our game. We've played the system we did for a long time and we tried to improve that, but now after the summer we thought, 'Ok, how can we adapt or evolve our style of play to become better?' The football world is going so fast and developing so fast, we want to keep developing and taking our game to the next level. I also think we have the players to do this."
Asked how the chemistry in the final third differed tonight, compared to Friday:
"I thought Friday we had some moments that we did well. A lot of it was sloppy. There were things like the timing wasn't right, or we had an extra touch. They dropped really quickly, then the moment was gone. We had to do things better connected, communicate a bit better. Then also the timing, and from which positions, what type of cross do wore want or do we want to recycle, and switch the play?
"Most of those things we did a bit better today. Also taking out the counter we did a lot better than on Friday. They did have a chance at the beginning of the game, but that was because of a mistake we made ourselves."
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
England
England manager Sarina Wiegman speaking to ITV:
"I saw a lot. I saw a lot of good things. I think we wanted to do the things we tried to do better than Friday. I think we've shown a lot better. There's always improvements. We scored some great goals. We had an early goal. They pressed high in the beginning, as they did on Friday. That was very courageous, I would say. Getting the first goal quickly was very helpful. We got some more big chances. Of course, we want to be ruthless at all times but 5-0 is a pretty good score."
On Lexi Potter's debut:
"You could see there were some nerves. That's completely normal. She's done so well with Chelsea. Last year we kept an eye on her already. Now she started for Chelsea, did really well, in our camp she did really well straight away. Of course, your first start for England that's a big moment. you can tell, with the positions she picked up.... she score the goal that was disallowed but... nice for her."
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
It has been a busy night with lots of goals flying in. Sweden ended as the top scorers of the evening, scoring 10 to clinch a 15-0 thumping of Lithuania.
The below scores are the aggregate totals from this round of play-off matches.
Advancing into the next phase are Slovenia, Ukraine, Finland, Norway, Austria, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Iceland, Switzerland, Wales, Scotland, Portugal, England, Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.
Poland beat Belgium 4-3 on penalties after it had finished 3-3 on aggregate
England v Greece (19:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesMorocco are one of the countries that will be playing in the Women's World Cup next year
There will be 32 nations in the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, which runs from 24 June to 25 July next year.
So far, we know 18 of the 32 to have earned their spots...
Africa (4) - Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco.
Asia (6) - Australia, China, Japan, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea.
Europe (4) - Denmark, France, Germany, Spain.
Oceania (1) - New Zealand.
South America (3) - Argentina, Brazil (hosts), Colombia.
Of the remaining 14, seven will go to European nations, four from North / Central America with the final three being awarded from the intercontinental play-offs.
Ten countries will be playing in those play-offs, which finish in February.
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in Rio on 11 December.
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
England
England debutant Lexi Potter, speaking to ITV Sport: "It was really special and I'm really proud. It was a bit of a rush before the game and I lost my phone so I was a bit nervous. But once I got on the pitch I really enjoyed it.
"When you're a young girl it's something you dream of and it's a really special moment, one I will always remember.
"The game was OK. I feel there's more to come. It took a while to grow into the game but there's more to come."
FT: 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
My vote goes to Georgia Stanway, Sian, but let's let the people have their say.
Thumbs up for Lauren James' disallowed goal, when she lobbed the keeper from 25 yards out.
Or thumbs down if you think Stanway's wins it. Plucked the ball out of the air, took it down with a glorious touch and then calmly slotted past the Greece keeper.
Get voting...
Click the yellow 'Get involved' box at the top of this page
Stanway's disallowed goal was a cracker - can't decide if it was better than LJ's disallowed goal in the away fixture!
Sian, Dorset
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
England
England goalscorer Alessia Russo speaking to ITV after the Lionesses' World Cup qualifying play-off win against Greece:
"We were happy with the first game, getting the win. There were things we wanted to work on, and I think we saw that tonight. We were ruthless early on and nice for a couple more girls to get their debuts too.
"i'm set up with great people around me so they make it easy for me. Nice to get on the scoresheet as always, and nice to have two wins under our belt and now we're going into the next round of games.
On playing with Lauren James, who also scored a double:
"I think Lauren James can probably play anywhere on the pitch in the attacking third. She's brilliant, she'sso technical, she finds passes in the tightest of spaces. You can see how ruthless she is in front of goal. I'm really enjoying playing with her, building more of a relationship."
On Lexi Potter's debut:
"She's been brilliant. In training, straight away you could tell she's ready for this level. She's brilliant. She's a great kid, she wants to learn. I think she's got the best in learning off Keira [Walsh]. She took her moment tonight, she looked so confident, so composed. Very happy she's an England player."
On their next test:
"It was tough against Ukraine, it took a while to break them down. We're happy with tonight, we'll get back to club football, then all eyes on Ukraine and we want to qualify for the World Cup."
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
Since we're speaking about Alessia Russo, let's hear what the Arsenal forward had to say...
England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
Alessia Russo was named England women's player of the year on Sunday.
And as if to prove the point, she grabs two goals three days later.
Russo has been a key player in the 2025-26 campaign, featuring in all 11 games and scoring seven goals.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
If only this Georgia Stanway goal had counted.
Hang it in the Louvre...
Image source, PA MediaFT: Wales 3-0 Albania (agg 4-0), Scotland 3-2 Czech Republic (agg 5-2), Portugal 3-1 Northern Ireland (agg 7-1)
Image source, Getty ImagesWales advance thanks to a 3-0 victory over Albania, with goals from Mayzee Davies, Elise Hughes and Hannah Cain to seal a 4-0 aggregate triumph.
Scotland have also got the job done. They held a 2-0 lead after the first leg in Czech Republic and won 3-2 at St Mirren to progress 5-2 overall. Scotland's goals came from Lauren Davidson, Kathleen McGovern and Christy Grimshaw.
Wales will play Norway next, with Scotland taking on Sweden in the two-legged play-off finals.
But Northern Ireland's hopes are over after a 7-1 aggregate loss to Portugal, who backed up a 4-0 win in the first leg with a 3-1 victory in the second.
Before we get some reaction from Sarina Wiegman and the England players, let's check in with how the other home nations got on...
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
England were ruthless in the first half, but they lacked a little conviction in front of goal after the break - despite having more shots.
I doubt they'll care too much. A play-off final against Ukraine awaits.
FT: England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesIn the targets which Sarina Wiegman has set her team in terms of how she wanted them to execute the game plan - overall, she'll be very satisfied.
England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
Job done for the Lionesses. A very convincing victory in the end.
Mission 'Brazil 2027' remains on track for Sarina Wiegman's side.
England 5-0 Greece (agg 8-1)
It's become a bit like a training game for England in these closing stages. We're into the final minute of three added on.
Lauren James scored two goals and provided an assist in the first half
England put in a thrilling display to thrash Greece and progress to round two of the Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Sarina Wiegman's side won 8-1 on aggregate - cruising to a 5-0 victory on Tuesday to add to their 3-1 success in Crete.
The Lionesses had lacked a clinical edge in Greece but it was a completely different story in Leicester as they showed they do have a ruthless streak.
Answering Wiegman's call to make the most of their dominance, Alessia Russo opened the scoring within three minutes as the hosts started brightly.
Russo was cleverly put through by Lauren James for the opener and the Chelsea forward added two goals of her own in an impressive individual display.
Winger Lauren Hemp saw plenty of the ball on the left-hand side and had two first-half assists - picking out an unmarked Georgia Stanway in the 30th minute and then setting up James four minutes later.
England were unfortunate not to have been even further ahead with debutant Lexi Potter having a goal ruled out for a foul by Stanway in the build-up.
Greece looked tired and offered very little in a one-sided second half in which England were able to take their foot off the gas.
The Lionesses added a fifth goal through Russo late on, while Stanway had an exceptional finish ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee check.
Substitute Freya Godfrey, who came on for her debut in the 60th minute, was denied by goalkeeper Styliani Katergiannaki in one of England's other notable chances.
The result confirms England's status as heavy favourites to progress from the play-offs and they meet Ukraine in round two, who they beat twice in the league phase.
'Unplayable' Stanway a free-scoring warrior for Lionesses
Wiegman said she would make changes from Friday's win in Greece and opted for two, shaking up the defence with Jess Carter coming in, while talented 20-year-old Potter made her full debut.
It made a difference as Potter's introduction allowed experienced midfield duo Stanway and Keira Walsh to push higher up and cause plenty of problems.
Walsh and Potter teamed up to reduce Greece's threat on the counter-attack, though the visitors still managed to test England's defence, which looked vulnerable at times.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was called into action on a few occasions early on but England settled quickly and did the job very convincingly at the other end.
Wiegman had called for more ruthlessness after her side misfired in Crete and she was given the perfect response by her players.
Stanway now has an impressive 11 goals in her past 10 England matches, while Chelsea's James was in electric form in an entertaining first half that rewarded her with two goals.
England's number nine Russo was also sharp and set the tone within three minutes, allowing the hosts to gain confidence and build momentum, with the crowd chanting "we want six" in stoppage time.
By getting the job done in the first half, Wiegman was able to make changes and handed a debut to London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey and valuable minutes to full-back Niamh Charles.
Stronger opposition will come as they gear up for a potentially big 2027 - but with Ukraine up next in the play-offs, England should be confident of progressing.
They beat Ukraine in both matches in the league phase, winning 9-1 on aggregate, and have shown they do have a ruthless streak that will strike fear into any opposition.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
Manager:Sarina Wiegman
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Vasilios Spertos
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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