Lionesses qualify for World Cup after comprehensive victory against Austria

England have qualified for next year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after a 2-0 win against Austria in Wiener Neustadt on Saturday evening.

Sarina Wiegman's side were widely expected to win after going 20 games unbeaten under the Dutch coach, yet this was never going to be a gimme. Austria lost by just a goal to England in each of their previous two meetings and the reigning European champions would've been forgiven for feeling the nerves.

Wiegman made three changes to the team that defeated Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley only 34 days ago. Two of those were enforced following the retirement of record scorer Ellen White and Chelsea playmaker Fran Kirby's foot injury.

Manchester United striker Alessia Russo came in for White up front, while her club teammate Ella Toone - who scored the opener against the Germans - replaced Kirby. Manchester City's Alex Greenwood was preferred to Aston Villa's Rachel Daly at left-back.

England's anxieties were quashed in the seventh minute when Alessia Russo - brought in to replace the retired Ellen White - pounced on a loose ball in the box to make it 1-0.

Russo should've had a second moments later but her header failed to beat Arsenal stopper Manuela Zinsberger. At the age of 23, the Manchester United ace looks ready to step into White's record-breaking shoes.

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Despite conceding early, Austria fought back. The trio of Verena Hanshaw, Laura Feiersinger and Barbara Dunst caused Lucy Bronze trouble down England's right flank, while the volume inside the Stadion Wiener Neustadt grew with each home attack.

Yet Austria failed to capitalise, as all four of their first-half efforts missed the target. The hosts also found it tricky beating Millie Bright and Leah Williamson in the air - something many teams have struggled to do since Wiegman took charge 12 months ago.

Austria nearly got an equaliser just seconds after the restart when Julia Hickelsberger closed down Mary Earps. Fortunately for the England goalkeeper, the ball deflected off Hickelsberger and rolled agonisingly wide.

The Lionesses needed a second goal and almost got it when Georgia Stanway tested Zinsberger with a low drive. Although Feiersinger forced Earps into a fine save on the hour mark, a second England goal felt inevitable. They got it through substitute Nikita Parris, who found the roof of Zinsberger's net after an inch-perfect through ball from Stanway.

After that, few were doubting England's place at the World Cup. There was time for Lauren James, the sister of men's international Reece, to come and make her debut in front of 2,600 fans.

England are back in action on Tuesday night when they face Luxembourg in Stoke. The Lionesses won 10-0 the last time the two sides met 12 months ago.

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