England hit 10 past Luxembourg to extend free-scoring start under Wiegman

Ellen White celebrates one of her goals for England against Luxembourg — Ellen White’s double against Luxembourg saw her take her goalscoring tally to 43 for England

Ellen White, Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright each scored twice as England thumped Luxembourg in another utterly one-sided Women’s World Cup qualifier.

The Lionesses have now netted 18 goals in two matches under Sarina Wiegman.

Ellen White twice pounced from close range, Nikita Parris added a third before Alex Greenwood claimed a double.

An own goal followed, with Bright scoring her first two England goals before Rachel Daly and Bethany England completed the rout.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was untroubled in Friday’s 8-0 win against North Macedonia, again started and had little to do as she tries to stake a claim as England’s number one.

Lucie Schlime’s night in goal for Luxembourg – ranked 114 places below England in the world rankings – could not have been any more different, making a fine reaction save to keep White out before the Manchester City striker struck twice in six minutes to put the visitors in control.

The first-half brace moved White to within three goals of equalling Kelly Smith’s record of 46 goals.

Wiegman had described the thumping of North Macedonia as an ‘OK’ performance and demanded a more clinical showing after producing 48 shots – only 18 of which were on target.

It was much the same against Luxembourg in the first period, with Fran Kirby and Ella Toone failing to take good chances before Parris added a third from a header and Greenwood marked her 50th cap with a goal either side of the break.

After an hour of incessant pressure, Jessica Berscheid directed the ball into her own net and centre-back Bright managed to celebrate her first two goals for the Lionesses on her 40th appearance.

Her second came in the first minute of injury time and yet there was still time for Daly to score an emotional ninth – just days after he father Martyn passed away – and on-loan Liverpool forward England delivered the 10th goal moments later.

Facing Northern Ireland – who beat Latvia 4-0 on Tuesday – next in October at Wembley will present a much sterner test for Wiegman’s side.

Kirby instrumental on England return

Fran Kirby fist pumps England manager Sarina Wiegman — Sarina Wiegman left Fran Kirby out against North Macedonia in an effort to “manage her load”

For Luxembourg, the heavy defeat by England marked a milestone occasion as the first Women’s World Cup qualifier hosted by the country.

Their manger Daniel Santos previously spoke of being in charge of a team “not at the required level yet”, but being determined to potentially endure “some major setbacks” to gain valuable experience and improve.

England certainly provided proof of the chasm between the two sides.

Wiegman made just two changes for the trip to the Grand Duchy. Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway made way for the experienced and decorated pair of Parris and Kirby, who was last season voted the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year for a second time.

After Lauren Hemp’s ingenuity on the left created the opener, Kirby played a part in the next three – first threading a an excellent ball through for White to finish, before setting up Parris and Greenwood from corners.

A heavy deflection for Greenwood’s second and an own goal were cruel on the hosts, with three injury-time strikes at the end making it the first time England have scored 10 in a game since 2014 when they overwhelmed Montenegro.