England star player Ellen White became the Lionesses’ record goalscorer as England humiliated Latvia 20-0 to record their biggest-ever competitive victory. Elle White surpassed Kelly Smith record of 46, and her hat-trick means she now has 48 goals in 101 appearances for England.
The Manchester City striker needed just nine minutes to break the record, running to the corner flag with her arms outstretched before sliding to the ground and clenching her shirt after doing so. It was a night of celebrations all around as Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp also scored in the game. She scored four goals in the game, which marks her first goal in an England shirt.
Also, Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Manchester United’s Alessia Russo bagged hat-tricks. Jess Carter scored her first international goal, Manchester United’s Katie Zelem made her debut, and centre-back Millie Bright captained the side at the home of her first club.
There were ten different England goalscorers, namely Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Bethany England, Jill Scott and Jordan Nobbs, completing the route. The win signified an end to a disrupted 2021 for England but was the perfect way to cap off an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign under their head coach manager Sarina Wiegman.
England remains top of their World Cup qualifying group as they have won all six of their games and has scored 53 goals without reply. Their 20-0 victory surpassed their previous record competitive win, a 13-0 success against Hungary in 2005. The win means both the men and woman football team of England has qualified for the World Cup.