Lionesses now have the world at their feet

PHIL NEVILLE’S Lionesses clinched their place at next summer’s World Cup in France with victory at Newport’s Rodney Parade last night.

It took England nearly an hour to break through against Jayne Ludlow’s Wales before three goals in the space of 12 minutes by Toni Duggan, Jill Scott and Nikita Parris secured the win needed to avoid missing out on automatic qualification.

England coach Neville was an unused squad member at Wembley the last time a senior England side of either gender failed to reach a major tournament.

It was the infamous defeat against Croatia ahead of Euro 2008 when manager Steve McClaren was dubbed the “Wally with the Brolly”.

Neville’s only defence against the elements last night was the waistcoat look that Gareth Southgate made his trademark in

WALES WOMEN ENGLAND WOMEN

Russia this summer. Wales’ office-worker goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan had not conceded a goal throughout their campaign, but that appeared to have come to an end in only the sixth minute when Parris turned the ball into her net. A full six seconds later, the assistant referee sheepishly flagged for offside. Instead, it was the 57th minute when O’Sullivan was beaten.

The ball ran loose to Duggan, above, who steered in from 12 yards. Three minutes later, Scott’s header doubled the advantage, then an error by O’Sullivan enabled Parris to nod in a third.

Wales must now wait for the final round to see if they go into the play-offs as one of the four best runners-up.