England take charge with 3-1 play-off win in Greece

England beat Greece 3-1 in Crete on Friday to take control of their Women's World Cup qualifying play-off.

The Lionesses scored through Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo and Maya le Tissier in the first leg at Pankritio Stadium. It was the first-ever meeting between the two nations, and it leaves England well placed before the return game, according to BBC Sport.

This is a play-off in the simplest sense. Two teams meet home and away, and the side with the better aggregate score over both legs goes through. England finished runners-up in their qualifying group, so they must come through the play-offs to reach the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Le Tissier was the story of the night. She started at right-back in place of Lucy Bronze, who withdrew from the squad earlier in the week with a minor injury. It was her 15th cap. She marked it with her first international goal in the 63rd minute.

Stanway and Russo got the other goals that gave England breathing room. Greece stayed in the fight through Kallisti Brouksair, who scored after good work from Ioanna Papatheodorou. Papatheodorou had earlier struck the crossbar and then set up Brouksair.

The win was only England's third in their past eight competitive away games. That record explains the relief at full time. Job half done, and done the hard way, away from home.

There were two debuts to celebrate as well. Liverpool captain Grace Fisk finally made her England bow, more than six years after her first call-up in 2020. She was joined on the pitch by 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson, who came on in the 85th minute.

Parkinson's rise has been quick. She joined North Carolina Courage from Portuguese side Valadares Gaia in the summer and is now a full international.

What makes this stand out is the blend. Established scorers did the damage, a stand-in stepped up, and two new faces got their moment in the same night.

For fans, this means Tuesday matters. England host Greece in the second leg at King Power Stadium in Leicester on 13 October at 19:30 BST, according to England Football. Tickets are on general sale.

Win that tie and England face either Ukraine or Slovakia in round two. That final play-off, played over two legs in late November and early December, decides who goes to Brazil.