Lionesses ease past Ukraine but must navigate playoffs to qualify for World Cup

England's Lionesses defeated Ukraine 3-0 in their World Cup qualifier, with goals from Carter (14'), Stanway (37'), and Mead (67'), but were denied automatic qualification after Spain's 6-1 win over Iceland pushed England into second place in their group. It marks the first time England have failed to top a World Cup qualifying group in nearly 25 years, since missing out on the 2003 World Cup. England will now enter the playoffs, where only four European sides will qualify automatically under a revised format, reduced from nine automatic spots four years ago.