By Robert Wheeler
- England finish their group stage campaign with three victories
- Alessia Russo scores two second-half goals in a 5-0 victory over Northern Ireland
- Manager Sarina Wiegman misses the game due to COVID
SOUTHAMPTON, UK – England beat Northern Ireland in front of a crowd of 30,785.
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England followed up their 8-0 drubbing of Norway earlier in the week with a 5-0 victory over Northern Ireland thanks to goals from Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, two from Alessia Russo and an own goal from Kelsie Burrows.
The Lionesses’ Manager Sarina Wiegman was not present as she tested positive for COVID but her side was unchanged from their victory over the Norwegians. Wiegman’s assistant Arjan Veurink took charge in the dugout at St Mary’s stadium.
Northern Ireland was already heading out of the Euros but was playing for pride and had the first chance of the game when Lauren Wade ran clear and forced a save from Mary Earps. England was awarded a penalty in the 5th minute as Georgia Stanway‘s shot hit the hand of Laura Rafferty. However, the goal was ruled out as the ball hit the hand of Mead in the build-up.
The Lionesses finally took the lead in the 39th minute when Kirby curled the ball into the top corner from outside the box. Soon after Mead doubled their lead with a deflected strike after she produced a great turn to create space for herself.
England made three changes at half-time bringing on Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone and Russo. Millie Bright, Ellen White and Stanway made way.
It did not take long for Russo to score as she headed from a Mead cross in the 48th minute. Russo then got her second five minutes later as her Manchester United teammate Toone fizzed a pass into her where she controlled with her back heel before slotting the ball past Jacqueline Burns.
In the 75th minute, a ball into the box by Mead was put into the Northern Ireland net by their own player Burrows. Russo had a chance to complete her hat trick but squandered her chance after Jess Carter had put it on a plate for her.
The match finished 5-0 with England making it three wins from three in Group D. Russo speaking to the BBC after the game said, “I enjoy every game in an England shirt and to come on and score is great. I just got in the right place at the right time, and was able to put it in the back of the net.
“I should have finished that last one but we will move on to the next game. I’ve been watching Ian Wright’s goals this week and maybe that helped me. Obviously I want to play in every game for England but I know I have to be patient.”
Russo’s form especially with White not finding the back of the net today will have many people calling for the Manchester United player to start in the next round.
England top the group and will face the runners-up in Group B in the quarter-finals on 20 July at the Amex Stadium, Brighton kick off at 20:00 BST
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