Austria 0-2 England: Alessia Russo and Nikita Parris send Lionesses to World Cup

Sarina Wiegman said she was “proud” of her England team for booking their place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup with one game to spare after defeating Austria in their first match since winning Euro 2022.

“I’m very happy we have qualified,” said Wiegman. “I think again it was a hard game but coming out of Euros and not having that much rest, I am very proud of the team. It looked so easy but it was pretty hard.”

Asked about England being one of the favourites at the World Cup, Wiegman added: “We knew that was going to be the case.

“But we are just trying to do the things that we have to do.”

England, who gave a debut to Lauren James as a late substitute, only needed a point to make sure of a place at next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Austria were lively and caused problems, with Mary Earps producing a fine stop to deny Laura Feiersinger from equalising in the second half before Parris made it 2-0.

But England’s small travelling fanbase marked the final whistle by singing “We’re all off to Australia” as the Lionesses got the job done before their final game of the qualifying campaign against Luxembourg in Stoke on Tuesday (19:30 BST).

England can start planning for next summer

The last time the Lionesses were in action, on 31 July, there were joyous scenes as they celebrated being crowned European champions in front of 87,192 at Wembley.

On Saturday, just a few dozen England supporters were inside the Stadion Wiener Neustadt to witness an 18th win in 21 games under Wiegman.

The Lionesses remain unbeaten under Wiegman, who was asked after the match if she could remember what is it like to lose.

“Of course you remember the defeats, but you never get bored with winning,” she replied.

The England boss can now start planning for next summer’s World Cup after a ninth win in nine qualifying games sent the Group D leaders eight points clear of second-placed Austria with one round of games remaining.

England had scored 68 times without reply in their previous eight qualifying matches, and it did not take them long to add another as Russo produced a clever finish in the seventh minute after Lauren Hemp had connected with Alex Greenwood’s cross.

Austria, who will now compete in the play-offs, looked lively and caused problems after England made three changes to the side that started at Wembley.

Early in the second half, Earps was fortunate to escape after Julia Hickelsberger closed down the England keeper and got a touch before the ball rolled narrowly wide of the post.

But with Millie Bright and Leah Williamson once again dominant at the back, the team clocked up another clean sheet on their way to a victory that was confirmed by Parris’ thumping finish.

Parris had only been on the pitch for a few minutes when she found the top left corner after being played in by Georgia Stanway.

Parris’ contribution shows depth and talent

England have now joined the likes of defending world champions the United States – who they face in a friendly at Wembley on 7 October – Brazil, South Africa, Sweden and France at next year’s World Cup, which will take place between 20 July and 20 August.

Will it be another glorious summer for the Lionesses?

There is no doubt that White is a big loss, but Russo was busy and marked her start with a neat finish, which will help cement her place in Wiegman’s starting plans.

The England head coach has 10 months to fine-tune her squad before much sterner tests next summer.

But Parris’ important contribution after coming off the bench shows the depth and talent in the squad despite the loss of White and Jill Scott, who has also retired.

On a satisfying night for the Lionesses, 20-year-old forward James, sister of Chelsea and England defender Reece, made her debut when she replaced Ella Toone after 79 minutes.