If you believe there can be too much of a good thing, Lauren James is here to prove you wrong. The 24-year-old footballer, whose career has been persistently hampered by injuries, delivered a breathtaking performance that reminded everyone why she is considered one of England's most valuable assets.
Overcoming Injury Setbacks
James has faced significant injury challenges throughout her career, including during the European Championships. Last September, she revealed that these physical setbacks had affected her ability to fully enjoy winning a trophy with her national team. The ankle injury that forced her to limp off during the final against Spain carried over into the new season, limiting her to just half of Chelsea's Women's Super League appearances this term. She has started six of those eight games for the reigning champions.
A Long-Awaited Return
Despite these challenges, James' performance at a sold-out City Ground demonstrated exactly why every coach anxiously awaits medical clearance before including her in the lineup. "It's been a long time since me and LJ played together – we know each other from Arsenal back in the day. I know what she's capable of," said Taylor Hinds, who partnered with James on a successful day for England's left flank. "Just give her the ball and let her do her magic."
Childhood Skills on Display
After spending her childhood playing football in the cages of south-west London, James made this World Cup qualifier against a gritty, physical Iceland side look like she was back in those four-walled pitches having a casual kickabout with her older brothers. Her technical brilliance was evident from the start, drawing enthusiastic reactions from the crowd.
"Oh, lovely," exclaimed one fan after James executed a perfect step-over followed by a no-look cross that bent neatly into the penalty area. "Oh, yes," shouted another moments later as she backheeled her way out of a tight corner to find teammate Taylor Hinds.
Early Challenges
The opening 10 to 15 minutes suggested that the so-called 'ugly' side of football might be creeping into the women's game. Iceland appeared determined to frustrate England from the outset, employing tactics focused on stalling momentum, physical challenges, and launching long throws into the box.
Lauren Hemp was an early victim of Iceland's aggressive approach, sent sprawling to the turf after getting on the wrong side of her defender on the right flank. In the ensuing melee, James collected the ball for the first time on the left wing, dribbled through the crowd, and floated a perfect pass to Alessia Russo.
The Arsenal striker couldn't generate enough power to direct the cross past the goalkeeper, but it served as a warning of what was to come. Moments later, James repeated the maneuver, this time finding Hemp, whose header struck the woodwork, narrowly missing the opening goal.
The Breakthrough
Finally, inevitably, James' persistence paid dividends. After shrugging off her defender and making a circular, darting run around the back, James delivered a looping ball into the area. Her Chelsea teammate Lucy Bronze rose highest, her powerful header sending the Iceland net bulging and giving England the lead.
From that moment, momentum swung decisively in England's favor. James continued to showcase flashes of brilliance throughout the first half, though she began to fade midway through the second period as part of her meticulously planned return to full fitness. She was substituted for Chloe Kelly with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
Sealing the Victory
Three minutes after James' departure, with England needing to secure the result, Georgia Stanway – who has dazzled throughout this international break – scored the second goal. Bronze turned provider this time, driving a cross into the penalty area that Stanway powered home to record her fourth goal involvement across the opening two World Cup qualifiers, adding to the two goals and assist she registered against Ukraine.
Qualification Implications
England have now taken a commanding lead in their World Cup qualifying group, but realistically, the next match will significantly determine whether England or Spain – the world champions versus the European champions – will secure automatic qualification for next year's tournament, and who will face two additional rounds of playoffs.
The Wembley crowd will undoubtedly play their part, just as the City Ground supporters did today, in ensuring Alexia Putellas and her Spanish teammates experience the same result as their last meeting with England.
Selection Dilemma
The only potential downside to James' return is the abundance of wingers now available to manager Sarina Wiegman, if such a problem can truly exist. Jess Park moved into central midfield but struggled to replicate the performances she produces at club level when cutting in from wide positions – displays that have made her Manchester United's player of the season so far.
How to incorporate both James and Park effectively will, and should, present a welcome selection headache for Wiegman based on their respective performances. "We've got some frightening attacking talent," Bronze acknowledged. "It's hard to train against them for two weeks. LJ is a pretty special player – it's nice to have her back in an England shirt."
That sentiment was shared by everyone who witnessed her magical return to international football.
