Lionesses forced to settle for World Cup play-off spot despite Ukraine win

England Women vs Ukraine Women; Women's World Cup Qualifying Group A3 England Women vs Ukraine Women. Women's World Cup Qualifying Group A3. Hill Dickinson Stadium. England Women 3 - J Carter (14th minute) - G Stanway (37th minute) - B Mead (67th minute) Ukraine Women 0 England 3-0 Ukraine: Lionesses made to settle for 2027 Women's World Cup play-off spot despite victory over Ukraine Match report as England beat Ukraine 3-0 in their final Women's World Cup qualifier; despite the victory, the Lionesses are forced to settle for a play-off spot after Spain took top spot and automatic qualification in Group A3 Tuesday 9 June 2026 21:58, UK England were forced to settle for a Women's World Cup play-off spot despite easing past Ukraine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Sarina Wiegman's side issued the perfect response to the dismal 4-0 defeat to Spain on Friday night, but the world champions' victory over Iceland means that there is still work to be done for the Lionesses to earn their place in Brazil next year. Goals from Jess Carter and Georgia Stanway put Wiegman's side en route to victory in the first half before substitute Beth Mead added the icing on the cake with a wonderful free-kick. Despite that, England will have to do things the hard way if they want to be on the plane next year. - As it happened | Teams | Stats - Women's World Cup qualifying results | Group A3 standings - Download the Sky Sports App Coming off the back of their heaviest defeat since the Euro 2009 final, the Lionesses started positively on Merseyside as they looked for the ideal response. They took the lead just before the quarter-hour mark as Carter was left unmarked at the back post and had the simple task of heading home a Lauren James cross from close range. The best move of the game brought the hosts' second just before the break. Some crisp interplay allowed Alessia Russo to play a square ball into the path of the sliding Stanway who joined the ball in the back of the net. With Spain already in command in what would turn into a 6-1 victory in Reykjavik, Wiegman's side came out looking flat in the second half as if they knew they were already condemned for the play-offs. The atmosphere did at least pick up as Mead rifled a free-kick into the bottom corner to make her the joint fifth-highest scorer in Lionesses history as she notched her 40th and England's third on the night. To an extent, it was all in vein. The European champions must find their way to the World Cup via the play-offs as they finish behind their rivals in Group A3. More to follow.