England's Struggles: Can the Lionesses Find Their Scoring Touch?

England takes a promising two-goal lead into the second leg of their Women's World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece, but many are left wondering if they could have done even more. Sarina Wiegman's team secured a 3-1 victory on Friday, but they certainly left the door ajar for the Greeks. Dominating possession with 74% and firing off 26 shots, the Lionesses only managed three goals and conceded one in a second-half slip-up, while Greece nearly equalized with a thunderous shot that struck the crossbar. The two teams meet again on Tuesday in Leicester at 19:30 BST, and Wiegman is calling for her squad to show more killer instinct. This isn’t the first time England has faltered in converting chances, raising concerns about their finishing ability. Alessia Russo, who has emerged as England's second-highest scorer since Euro 2025, knows all too well the importance of capitalizing on opportunities. The Lionesses' scoring woes have been apparent since their runner-up finish to Spain in the last World Cup. During that tournament, they scraped through the group stage with narrow 1-0 wins over lesser-ranked teams and only advanced past Nigeria after a penalty shootout. In this qualifying campaign, England has shown promise but hasn't exactly cruised through matches, narrowly defeating both Iceland and Spain while struggling against Greece. They did manage 58 touches in the opposition box and made 210 passes in the final third against Greece, indicating they are creating chances. Midfielder Keira Walsh reflects on their performance: "We played differently back then [in 2023]. The pressure is higher at the World Cup. In these qualifying matches, the real concern would be if we weren't getting into the final third. What’s lacking is the final pass, the final cross, and the final shot. We see that in training every day. It’s about translating that onto the pitch." Walsh expressed her frustration with their hesitancy in front of goal, acknowledging the work still needed for the second leg. One player who has consistently risen to the occasion is Arsenal’s Georgia Stanway, who has racked up 10 goals since Euro 2025 and ranks among the top European scorers in international play. Wiegman is keen for more players to step up, emphasizing the need for better execution in key moments. "We found ourselves in promising positions, but it’s about timing—the right pass, the right run, the right decision on crosses," she noted. England's issue isn't a lack of talent—it's about how best to deploy their skills. With injuries sidelining strikers Aggie Beever-Jones and Michelle Agyemang, Alessia Russo has found herself with less competition in the number nine role. Meanwhile, Lauren James has shifted roles from winger to a more central position, while Lauren Hemp, despite her excellent form, isn’t known for her scoring. Former striker Ellen White, England's all-time leading scorer, stresses the importance of rhythm and connections. "You need to build your own rhythm. It’s not just about moving the ball quickly; you need midfielders who can dictate play and create connections between forwards." At least England has a diverse array of goalscorers, with 11 different players finding the net since Euro 2025, including defenders like Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter. However, the Lionesses remain unconvincing in front of goal, particularly when trailing. Since Euro 2025, they’ve lost matches against Brazil and Spain when behind. Regular starter Hemp has played over 680 minutes but has only managed two goals, while the talented James hasn’t scored in her last 425 minutes on the pitch. Part of the challenge has been breaking down teams that defend deep and compactly, making it hard for England to find space. Ex-midfielder Fran Kirby echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need for intelligent movement around the box. "It’s vital to be unselfish and make runs to draw defenders out, creating space for others. You have to know when to pass to someone in a better position for a shot. Against Greece, our approach felt rushed instead of composed." As the Lionesses prepare for the crucial second leg, they know the clock is ticking to find their scoring touch.