England have reasons to believe looking ahead to Women’s World Cup | Suzanne Wrack


Phil Neville has made a quietly impressive start as manager and Lucy Bronze has grown in stature but there are still faults to be ironed out in time for next year’s tournament in France

The World Cup is just days away and while Gareth Southgate’s side attempt to write a more cheerful chapter to the long Three Lions story, in the background the Lionesses are cruising to qualification for the Women’s World Cup next year.

On Friday Phil Neville’s team leapfrogged Wales to once again top their qualification group with a comfortable 3-1 win against third-placed Russia. It was their fifth qualifying win (fourth under Neville) and Elena Danilova’s strike to reduce a 2-0 lead was the first goal they have conceded.

Related: Jill Scott double sinks Russia and keeps England on course for World Cup

Related: England’s Nikita Parris: ‘You’ll still find me shouting at referees’

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