Latvia Women vs England Women. Women's World Cup Qualifying Group D.
Daugava Stadium, Riga.
Match report as Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Georgia Stanway and a Rachel Daly double round out the scoring; it is the second time England have won 10-0 in this World Cup Qualifying campaign, also beating Luxembourg by the same scoreline in September
Wednesday 27 October 2021 07:13, UK
Ella Toone scored her first international hat-trick and Ellen White closed in on Kelly Smith's all-time scoring record as England Women thumped Latvia Women 10-0 in their World Cup Qualifier.
The Lionesses had already registered big wins in September - beating Luxembourg by the same scoreline and putting eight past North Macedonia - and a similar outcome was expected in Riga.
It took just 12 minutes for Toone (8,12) to fire England into a 2-0 lead, before White (25) added the third. It was her 44th international goal, going joint-second with Kerry Davis and now just two behind Kelly Smith's all-time record (46). She could have gone outright second soon after, but saw a penalty saved by Latvia goalkeeper Enija-Anna Vaivode.
Millie Bright (32) turned home the fourth just after the half-hour mark and the second period did not get any easier for the hosts. Beth Mead (55) followed up her Northern Ireland hat-trick with England's fifth 10 minutes after the break, followed by Rachel Daly's first of the evening (70).
A very costly three minutes then saw Sarina Wiegman's side - with the manager celebrating her 52nd birthday in style - reach double figures. England captain Leah Williamson (79) and Georgia Stanway (81) both scoring before Daly (82) rounded off her double with the 10th goal.
It sees England take a three-point lead at the top of Group D, two ahead of Austria with 10 points after their late draw against Northern Ireland. Latvia remain bottom with no points and a goal difference of -24.
With the rain teeming down in the Riga, England took a quick 2-0 lead. For the first, Lauren Hemp curled in a lovely ball, which the Latvian defense let bobble off their legs. It then landed to Toone, who sent a wonderful effort past Vaivode.
Four minutes later, Mead drove down the right before cutting the ball back for a waiting Fran Kirby - winning her 50th England cap. She was unable to turn, instead tapping the ball back for an unmarked Toone, who again fired past the goalkeeper.
There was an almost lengthy wait for the third as White nabbed herself a goal in the 25th minute. It was a poor goal kick from Vaivode that Toone easily intercepted in midfield. She then slotted the ball through for White, who swept it into the far corner.
Bright made it three goals in three games when she added England's fourth seven minutes later. Her Chelsea team-mate Kirby lifted in a wonderful free-kick that just evaded White in the middle. But Bright was incoming at the back post to smuggle the ball home.
England could have added a couple more before the break. They were awarded a penalty as Hemp was wiped out by Vaivode inside the area, having sent an effort onto the post. White stepped up to take, but her penalty was well saved by the Latvia goalkeeper, who also denied Mead on the rebound. Soon after, White also found the top of the crossbar with a headed effort.
Wiegman made four changes at half-time and the Lionesses again had a plethora of early chances. Vaivode denied both Toone and Beth England, while substitute Nikita Parris saw an effort fizz wide.
But in the 55th minute, Mead added England's fifth. It was a wonderfully weighted pass from Stanway into the left channel, which Mead collected. She easily beat Latvia captain Sandra Voitane before sending the ball firing into the far corner.
Toone was eager to complete her hat-trick - testing Vaivode on a number of occasions - and finally made the breakthrough in a similar fashion to Mead's goal. She looked to have initially have been fouled on the left, but jumped back onto her feet to easily float past Voitane. She then finished on a tight angle to make it 6-0.
Soon after, Daly added the seventh and her first goal of the game. England's initial effort was blocked, with the ball landing to Mead on the left. She then squared it through the six-yard box, with Daly lurking to poke the ball home from close range.
Three quick goals then brought up the magic number 10. Williamson has excelled as England captain under Wiegman and made it eight with a fine finish. It was a well-worked short corner from Mead and Stanaway, with the latter finding her inside the area. She then opened her hips before sending a low effort past Voivade.
Half-time substitute Stanway then added her own effort. Parris did well when she came on and finally nabbed her assist for the ninth goal, passing the ball into a pocket of space. Stanway drove onto it and despite defenders closing in, she struck and fired into the back of the net.
And less than a minute later, it was 10. It was a superb pass from Mead to pick out Daly's run through the middle, with Voivade committing herself far too early. It was then an easy finish for the full-back as she rolled home into an open net to complete another England rout.
There were superb performances across the board from England, but with three goals and an assist, Toone just pips her team-mates to the post.
She told ITV4 after the game: "I'm over the moon. To score one goal for England is an amazing achievement, but to get the hat-trick tonight was really special for me. It's a proud day for me and my family and a day I'll never forget.
"We know the depth in the squad that we have and tonight showed that. We had seven different goalscorers so we've really learnt in these last two camps. We've played really good football and put in good performance and scored loads of goals.
"Now we're looking forward to being tested against even better opponents."
England manager Sarina Wiegman said: "10-0 is pretty nice to have on your birthday so thanks to the squad.
"Sometimes we were a little sloppy and sometimes we need to be tighter on the ball.
"I've learnt a lot. There is lots of willingness, lots of quality and depth. We can play high-tempo, a possession-game and move the ball to switch the field.
"We have players who can score. It was hard circumstances as it was not a good opponent, the field was not as good as Saturday [at Wembley against Northern Ireland], it was windy and raining, but you still see the eagerness to score lots of goals and get the game to a high level.
"Ella is a very talented player. I don't know how good she will become - that's up to her. But she is really talented, that is obvious. I'm very happy she got this hat-trick."
Northern Ireland suffered late heartache as Stefanie Enzinger's stoppage-time equaliser denied them what would have been a famous Women's World Cup qualifying win over Austria at Seaview.
Two goals in five minutes from Laura Wade and Demi Vance had put Northern Ireland in control after Barbara Dunst gave the visitors a half-time lead, but they could not quite hold out for a third win in Group D as it finished 2-2.
Wales cruised to a 4-0 World Cup qualifying win against Estonia in front of a record crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Angharad James gave Wales a 1-0 half-time lead and Helen Ward, Natasha Harding and captain Sophie Ingle all struck in the second period.
The 5,455 crowd in Cardiff is a new record for a home women's international, beating Wales' previous best of 5,053, for a World Cup qualifier against England at Rodney Parade in 2018.
Wales, who have never qualified for a major tournament, remain in second place in Group I, two points behind leaders France.
Scotland slipped to a 2-0 friendly defeat as Sweden struck two late goals at the SMISA Stadium in Paisley.
The Scots, second in their World Cup qualifying group after three matches, proved spirited opposition for the world's second-ranked nation.
Barcelona forward Fridolina Rolfo broke the deadlock with a superb long-range effort before Sophie Howard's own goal sealed Sweden's victory.
England will play their next two World Cup Qualifiers at the end of November, both at home. They host Austria on November 27 before welcoming Latvia on November 30.
