Portugal Colonial - Bronze and Stanway on target for England in World Cup qualifying

Lucy Bronze, earning her 145th cap, powered them ahead midway through the first half after a cross from Lauren James on the left.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton needed to make a superb save to deny Sandra Maria Jessen whose header was angling into the top corner before Georgia Stanway sealed the win in the 78th minute.

England thrashed Ukraine 6-1 earlier in the week and top group A3, with world champions Spain playing the Ukrainians later on Saturday.

"An important win. I think we played well, we know they're very disciplined, very powerful and really dangerous on the counter," England coach Sarina Wiegman told ITV.

"For the most part, we took that out so they didn't become dangerous. They had that one chance where Hannah Hampton did really well.

"Overall, we showed some good football. Of course, we want to score more goals but it starts with winning the game."

England and Spain meet in a repeat of the Euro 2025 final and the 2023 World Cup final next month.

Only the winners of each of the four European 'League A' groups will qualify automatically. The other 12 teams go into play-offs which will also involve the four League B group winners and the six group winners and two best runners-up from League C.

E.Borba--PC