Germany, Norway and Switzerland all secured second wins this midweek in their World Cup qualifying groups, while Belgium scored a record twelve times.
GROUP 1: England rout Russia
England hit Russia for six as the visitors had Ksenia Tsybutovich sent off on 30 minutes but Fran Kirby had the resulting penalty saved. Nikita Paris and Jodie Taylor already had the Lionesses 2-0 up at that point. with Jordan Hobbs and Lucy Bronze also scoring by the break. Toni Duggan then added a brace after the interval as the Lionesses became early group leaders.
GROUP 2: Second win for Swiss, first points for Belarus.
Belarus beat Albania by the only goal to secure their first points. with Anastasia Shuppo scoring early in the second half.
All the goals came in a 15 minute first-half spell, as Switzerland defeated Poland 2-1. Vanessa Bernauer gave the Swiss a 20th minute lead, Ewa Pajor equalised only for Lara Dickenmann to restore the home team’s advantage and seal back to back victories.
GROUP 3: Norway net six, Republic win Irish derby
Norway were 6-1 winners over Slovakia, after Lisa-Marie Utland and Elise Thorsnes scored in the first 9 minutes. Guro Reiten and Caroline Graham Hansen also found the net, with the latter together with Maren Mjelde converting penalties in the space of 5 minutes. While the Norwegians made it two wins from two, Klaudia Fabova did at least get a consolation goal on 55 minutes.
Northern Ireland lost 2-0 at home to Republic of Ireland, with a Rachel Furness own-goal in first half stoppage-time off a Megan Campbell long throw, before Campbell scored herself 69 minutes. While it was a winning start for the Republic, the North have now lost both their games.
GROUP 4: Troelsgaard treble aids Danish victory, Asllani seals Swedish win
Denmark put aside their recent dispute to post a 6-1 success from their opening qualifier Hungary. Sanne Troelsgaard hit a hat-trick, Nadia Nadim netted a spot-kick, Pernille Harder and sub Nicoline Sorensen one apiece, in a game that had been in serious doubt until yesterday’s temporary agreement with the Danish FA.
Croatia lost 2-0 to visitors Sweden, Lina Hurtig breaking the deadlock on 62 minutes and Kosovare Asllani sealing the points in added time.
GROUP 5: Own goal gives Germany win, Iceland score eight
The week’s qualifiers began with a second 8-0 defeat for the Faroe Islands, with hosts Iceland this time enjoying a goal-spree. There were two goals each from Elin Jensen, Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir and Fanndis Fridriksdóttir, plus singles by Sara Bjork Gunnarsdóttir and Bergland Thorvaldsdóttir.
Germany made it two wins from as many games but by the only goal away to Czech Republic, Eva Bartonova putting through her own net on 51 minutes.
GROUP 6: Corduneanu calamity and Belgian goal-fest
It was not the best of days for Romania’s Andreea Corduneanu, as she conceded an own-goal on 75 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Italy and was then sent off in added time.
Belgium crushed Moldova 12-0 in a record win for the Red Flames, which included four goals from Janice Cayman and a Tessa Wullaert hat-trick. There was a goal each for Davina Philtjens, Laura Deloose, Davinia Vanmechelen and Time de Caigny, plus an own-goal from Nadejda Colesnicenco.
GROUP 7: Burger on fire
Austria were 4-0 winners in Serbia, largely thanks to a Nina Burger treble. Nicole Billa got the other goal in the group’s only game to date.
The next batch of qualifiers commence on 19th October.
Pictured top – Belgium and Moldova line-up (Photo: @BelRedFlames)
