Alessia Russo on target as England squeeze past Iceland in World Cup qualifier

England maintained a three-point lead over Spain in their World Cup qualifying group after securing a narrow 1-0 victory against Iceland in Reykjavik.

Alessia Russo opened the scoring in the 21st minute of the Lionesses’ 500th international match, and it remained the contest’s lone goal at the final whistle.

Iceland came alive in the second half, and it required a number of key saves from Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton to preserve the win on the same day World Cup holders Spain secured a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Ukraine.

England play Spain and Ukraine in June, after which the group winners will book direct passage to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Captain Leah Williamson was back in Sarina Wiegman’s line-up after recovering from a hamstring issue, and the European champions showed their intent early, though they lacked chances.

Iceland remained overwhelmingly encamped in their own defensive third, where England earned a couple of corners before they finally broke through in the 21st minute.

England won the ball back after Iceland had worked it deep into the Lionesses’ half following a rare free-kick, and Lauren Hemp raced up the centre of the pitch before laying off to Russo.

It took a nice bit of skill for the Arsenal striker to score, receiving the pass on a pivot before firing her 30th England goal into the far corner.

Cecilia Runarsdottir gathered up Alex Greenwood’s effort and Russo forced the Iceland goalkeeper into another save with seven minutes remaining in the first half, before Dilja Zomers directed Iceland’s first real opportunity wide.

Williamson was replaced by Lotte Wubben-Moy after the break, and England survived a quartet of early Iceland set pieces including a Saedis Heidarsdottir corner, picked out by Hampton through the crowd.

Iceland, who had just made a triple change, were beginning to make things uncomfortable for the Lionesses when Wiegman replaced Lauren James and Laura Blindkilde Brown with Beth Mead and Jess Park.

Hampton came out to collect another of Sveindis Jonsdottir’s impressive long throws before Mead forced an alert save out of Runarsdottir with a header, and there was an opening for Park, who could not connect with a team-mate to apply the finish.

The Chelsea keeper made another big stop – though she might have been saved by the offside flag – before England survived a huge scare with just over 10 minutes remaining.

A low cross came in from Jonsdottir, received by Sandra Jessen, who clipped the right upright. The rebound bounced out favourably for Zomers, but Hampton reacted quickly to keep it out at her near post.

Iceland kept coming and Alexandra Johannsdottir was denied by the thigh of Hampton, who then recovered after initially spilling her save from a Jonsdottir effort.

Hampton was nearly punished after she was left stranded in five minutes of stoppage time but Jessen could not put the ball past Lucy Bronze and into the open goal.