England v Northern Ireland – Stat Attack | OneFootball

England will make history on Saturday when they take on Northern Ireland in the first-ever competitive women’s football fixture to be played at Wembley Stadium.

The Lionesses have played at the national stadium twice before in international friendly matches but this weekend sees England stage a FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier at the venue, a landmark occasion for Sarina Wiegman’s side.

Ahead of the match, FAWSL Full-Time have been looking at the statistics surrounding the fixture. Here are four facts which relate to England’s meeting with Northern Ireland.

England top the attacking stats in qualifying so far

England go into their latest qualifier having beaten North Macedonia 8-0 and Luxembourg 10-0 in their two qualifying matches to date. The Lionesses’ goal tally of 18 is the highest of any nation in UEFA qualifying while they also rank highest with attempts (79) and attempts on target (34). Wiegman’s side have played some promising attacking football so far and Northern Ireland are arguably the next step up in terms of opposition.

Northern Ireland are building on their EURO legacy

Kenny Shiels’ Northern Ireland side made history in April when they became the lowest-ranked side to ever qualify for a UEFA Women’s EURO finals. The Green and White Army won their final four matches of that qualifying campaign to reach the play-offs before defeating Ukraine 4-1 on aggregate to secure their place in the finals.

Northern Ireland have carried their form into FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifying by recording back-to-back 4-0 wins over Luxembourg and Latvia and they go into Saturday’s Wembley showdown on the back of eight straight wins in qualifying fixtures. Shiels’ side simply shouldn’t be underestimated, they deserve huge credit for their recent achievements.

Magill will be missed but it’s about the collective

Northern Ireland have been dealt a big blow in the lead up to Saturday’s game with forward Simone Magill being absent due to family bereavement. The attacker is arguably the team’s most high-profile player given the fact that she plays in an Everton side which is packed full of international stars, however, it should be noted that Northern Ireland have other players who could take advantage if given a brief glimpse of the England goal. Northern Ireland’s eight goals scored in qualifying so far have been shared amongst six different players, a reminder that the nation pride themselves on their collective effort, togetherness and team spirit.

England will be expected to win and win well but this Northern Ireland side are the ultimate underdog, a team who are continuously creating new history and they do have players who can trouble the home goal if given a rare opportunity to do so.

Ellen White is a hat-trick away from equalling England record

Ellen White goes into this weekend’s fixture on 43 goals, just three short of all-time record England goalscorer Kelly Smith. The Manchester City forward is the player for the big stage and it would be no surprise for White to grab the headlines at Wembley by netting her required hat-trick. White trebles and Northern Ireland go together very well, she netted a hat-trick when the two sides last met in an international friendly at St George’s Park in February. The Lionesses went on to win that match 6-0.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier between England and Northern Ireland kicks-off at 5.15pm on Saturday evening. Tickets remain on general sale and are available here.

Stats: UEFA