All hail Ellen as England stroll on
ELLEN WHITE marked her 100th cap with a 45th international goal to hand England a Women’s World Cup qualifying victory over Austria despite a Stadium of Light hailstorm.
White’s 39th-minute strike, which took her to within one of Kelly Smith’s record tally, clinched a narrow win on wintry Wearside.
“It’s just an incredible achievement. If you’ve had 100 caps you have been so consistent,” said boss Sarina Wiegman.
“She wants to become better every day and that’s really special.”
White added: “I’m incredibly proud. I feel super lucky to be a part of this team.”
England will head into Tuesday’s clash with Latvia at the Keepmoat Stadium five points clear in Group D with five wins out of five but they needed two second-half saves from Mary Earps to preserve their record of not having conceded.
England gradually worked their way into the game after a scrappy start as Keira Walsh settled things down in the middle of the pitch.
Alex Greenwood sent a 10th-minute free-kick straight into keeper Manuela Zinsberger’s midriff and Beth Mead could not sort out her feet quickly enough at the far post to convert Fran Kirby’s driven cross four minutes later.
Lauren Hemp warmed Zinsberger’s hands with a well-struck drive from distance after intercepting the keeper’s misdirected clearance and skipper Millie Bright drilled a shot just wide from 30 yards.
The breakthrough eventually came when Kirby, after her initial effort was blocked, lifted the ball towards the far post for White to thump it into the roof of the net.
Mead saw a secondhalf penalty appeal waved away by referee Kateryna Monzul after she had gone down under Carina Wenninger’s challenge.