England secured a valuable first-leg advantage on the road, though defensive lapses left room for improvement as they chase a place in next year's tournament in Brazil, according to BBC Sport. The back-to-back European champions defeated Greece 3-1 in Crete, taking a solid lead ahead of the return fixture.
According to BBC Sport, Maya le Tissier seized a rare starting opportunity in the absence of Lucy Bronze, who withdrew from the squad with a minor injury. Earning her 15th cap, the Manchester United captain scored her first international goal in the 63rd minute and stood out as a performer on the pitch. Manager Sarina Wiegman praised Le Tissier's performance, noting her contribution in possession and higher positioning on the pitch, as reported by BBC Sport.
Despite the victory, Wiegman expressed frustrations regarding defensive lapses that allowed Greece opportunities to score, according to BBC Sport. Ioanna Papatheodorou hit the crossbar in the first half before setting up Kallisti Brouksair for a goal, keeping the door open for the Greek side heading into the next leg.
Background
According to BBC Sport, Sarina Wiegman's side entered the play-offs after finishing runners-up in their qualification group. The team is looking to secure their place in the tournament in Brazil next year. The match in Crete marked just England's third win in their past eight competitive away games. Wiegman deploys Le Tissier as a right-back rather than her usual centre-back position at club level.
Why it matters
For sports followers in Pakistan and around the globe, international football qualification pathways highlight the competitive depth and tactical adjustments national teams must navigate during high-stakes tournaments. Understanding how squads manage injuries, squad depth, and defensive consistency offers insight into the broader challenges faced by elite athletic programmes.
What's next
According to BBC Sport, England will face Greece in the second leg on Tuesday in Leicester. The winner of the overall tie will then face Ukraine or Slovakia in round two to decide who heads to Brazil.