Sweden, France, and Spain became the latest teams to book their places in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Sweden became the first European team to qualify for the World Cup following their 1-1 draw at home to Ireland.
Ranked second in the world, the Swedes were pushed all the way by the Irish who took the lead through winger Katie McCabe just before the break.
Sweden’s intense pressure finally paid off when substitute Olivia Schough played a sublime first-time pass to Kosovare Asllani, who thumped the ball home in the 79th minute to give the Swedes top spot in Group A with 19 points after seven matches which ensured their qualification.
Spain, meanwhile, sealed their berth at the Women’s World Cup through a Jenni Hermoso double for a 2-0 Group B victory away to Scotland.
France defeated Slovenia to seal their spot as Delphine Cascarino’s goal just after the break proved enough for a 1-0 to ensure the top spot in Group I.
The French kept up their 100% record with an eighth straight victory.
The top team in each group advances automatically to the finals, while teams finishing second will have to go through the playoffs.
England thumped Northern Ireland 5-0 to move another step closer to automatic qualification.
Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway netted twice each and a goal for Ella Toone helped the visitors seal an easy win that takes them to 24 points from eight games.
The Lionesses will win Group D with a draw away against second-placed Austria in their penultimate game in the section in September.
Denmark also made it eight wins from eight with a 2-0 success against Azerbaijan but, as Group E also contains Russia, suspended by FIFA over the country’s invasion of Ukraine, no decision has yet been made on how that section will be decided.
