Hampton late saves keep England perfect in World Cup qualifying

Hannah Hampton’s late stops turned a tense finish in Reykjavik into another clean sheet and another warning for England. The Chelsea goalkeeper made three crucial saves to protect Alessia Russo’s 21st-minute goal, but Iceland’s late pressure showed that Sarina Wiegman’s side were far from comfortable in their 1-0 win.

England’s 500th women’s international match carried extra weight, and the result kept the Lionesses perfect in 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying with four wins from four in Group A3. The victory, coming after the midweek win over Spain, left England top of the group and moving closer to automatic qualification for the 2027 tournament in Brazil. On paper, it was another clean, efficient result from a side that continues to collect points; in practice, it required Hampton to rescue a lead that should have been safer long before the final minutes.

Russo’s opener in the 21st minute gave England the platform they wanted, and the first half suggested a routine evening could follow. Instead, Iceland grew more dangerous after the break, forcing Hampton into action as more bodies were thrown forward and more crosses and cut-backs found their way into England’s box. The final moments were especially fraught, with Iceland hitting the post in a late scare that came after Hampton had already produced two superb reflex saves from close range.

That sequence sharpened the bigger question around England’s tournament readiness. Hampton’s performance was a reminder of the goalkeeper depth Wiegman can count on, and her confidence under pressure offered real reassurance. But the need for so many late interventions also pointed to a defensive structure that allowed Iceland too much hope when England should have been managing the match with control.

Hampton brushed aside the individual praise afterward, saying she “did my job,” and that England “didn’t make it easy.” The honesty mattered as much as the saves. England may sit in command of their qualifying group, with Spain and Ukraine still in the picture and June’s final fixtures ahead, but the journey to Brazil will demand more than resilience at the back. The Lionesses have the points; the task now is making sure they do not keep needing a goalkeeper to save them at the end.