England U19s made it two wins from two in their elite round qualifiers with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Sweden at St. George’s Park.
Jessica Naz grabbed a brace with Ella Rutherford and Aimee Palmer also on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Rehanne Skinner’s outfit were on the front foot from the off and were ahead three minutes into the contest – Naz latching onto a fine pass from Poppy Pattinson before curling an effort into the top corner.
With their tails up, the Young Lionesses continued to dominate with Lauren Hemp and Emily Syme both going close.
The Swedes were undone by a late Italy goal in their own opener but were blown away early on this time out.
Tottenham’s Naz was a continuous thorn in their side – her lay-off picked out Rutherford who gave Skinner’s side a lead their dominance warranted.
She then scored what was arguably the goal of the game, following more good link-up play with Pattinson, netting another curler, this time from the edge of the penalty area leaving stopper Moa Edrud rooted to the spot.
Much like in their opening game against Turkey, England refused to rest on their laurels and were awarded a penalty after Naz was tripped in the area.
Aimee Palmer saw her effort from 12 yards well saved but was able to fire home the rebound.
Edrud performed well between the sticks and only a superb point-blank save denied Syme just shy of the half-time whistle.
The second period was a much tighter affair with England still in control. Syme and Rutherford both went close while substitute Ebony Salmon saw her attempt blocked.
To their credit, Sweden grew in confidence, were a threat on the break and began to test the home side’s backline.
They came close when Beata Olsson’s strike hit the woodwork while goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made a number of fine interventions from the lively Olsson to preserve her side’s clean sheet.
Italy take on Turkey in the late afternoon kick-off before England face the Italians on Tuesday for what may well be the contest to decide qualification.
England: 13 Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), 3 Poppy Pattinson (Bristol City), 4 Aimee Palmer (Manchester United), 5 Esme Morgan (C; Manchester City), 6 Georgia Eaton-Collins (University of Florida), 7 Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), 8 Amy Rodgers (Liverpool), 9 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 10 Ella Rutherford (Bristol City), 12 Grace Neville (Millwall Lionesses), 14 Emily Syme (Yeovil Town)
Substitutes: 17 Ebony Salmon (Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United) replaced Naz 57, 18 Lauren James (Manchester United) replaced Palmer 68, 2 Olivia Smith (University of Oklahoma) replaced Neville 85
Substitutes not used: 1 Emily Ramsey (Manchester United), 11 Lucy Fitzgerald (Millwall Lionesses), 15 Niamh Cashin (Rider University), 16 Naomi Hartley (Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United), 19 Amelia Hazard (Arsenal), 20 Jodie Hutton (Aston Villa)
Head coach: Rehanne Skinner
Goals: Jessica Naz 3,33, Ella Rutherford 23, Aimee Palmer 36
