The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.

This week: England played their 500th game, scored their fastest ever Wembley goal, and took charge of their own World Cup destiny. Plus: summer transfer rumours, a £300 boot, and one of women's sport's greatest power couples have called it a day.

– Jo, founder of Twentytwo

England head into their final two group games in June in the best possible position. Winning the group means automatic qualification for Brazil — no play-offs, no extra pressure, more time to actually prepare for a World Cup. This window was about making that a real possibility. They've done it.

Hemp's goal after two minutes and 34 seconds — the fastest Wembley goal in Lionesses history — set up a disciplined win over a Spain side that dominated possession but couldn't convert. Four days later in Reykjavík, Russo got the goal but England struggled to build on their 1–0 lead. Iceland played a tough second half and had their moments, but Hampton was equal to everything they threw at her. Not taking six points from this window would have been a real setback, but Hampton made sure they got the job done.

The takeaways:

Results:

Group A3 after four games:
England 12pts · Spain 9pts · Iceland 3pts · Ukraine 0pts

Next up:
Spain away (5 June) · Ukraine at home (9 June, Liverpool)

Wales beat Albania twice — 4–0 at home, 1–0 away — and sit joint top of Group B1 with Czech Republic. June's home fixture against the Czechs could decide it.

Scotland drew both games with Belgium — 1–1 at Easter Road (McGovern in injury time), 0–0 in Leuven — and lead Group B4 on goal difference heading into June. 

Northern Ireland got their first points with back-to-back wins over Malta (4–0 and 4–2). Third in Group B2, behind Switzerland (10 pts) and Turkey (7 pts), with both those sides still to come in June. 

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: Over in Ireland’s thriller against Poland, Katie MacCabe scored this insane volley

🇮🇷 The assets of Iran captain Zahra Ghanbari have been released by Iran's judiciary — but only after she issued what officials described as "a declaration of innocence following her change in behaviour." Ghanbari was among the players who sought asylum in Australia during March's Women's Asian Cup, then returned. Two players who stayed — Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh — are now training with Brisbane Roar. Read more

📅 A majority of NWSL players oppose the league's proposed calendar shift — a plan to move the season to align with the European calendar, which would push matches into the winter months. The Players Association has made clear members are against it, citing player welfare and schedule disruption. The league is expected to vote regardless. Read more

💑 Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird have announced they are separating after four years of marriage and ten years together. One of women's sport's most high-profile couples (Rapinoe a World Cup winner, Bird a four-time Olympic champion), they confirmed their podcast A Touch More is also ending. The last six episodes will land over the coming weeks.

🏆 The WSL March awards are in — Alessia Russo takes Player of the Month after a hat-trick in the North London derby and four goals across the month. Renée Slegers takes Manager of the Month, and West Ham's Oona Siren wins Goal of the Month for her volley against London City. Read more

→ Which players should you be targeting for your Champions League fantasy team? — semi-finals are almost here. via UEFA · Read here

→ Women coaches on FIFA's quota rules — whether mandatory representation helps or hinders is more contested than it looks. via Yahoo Sports · Read here

A busy summer is taking shape, and Arsenal are at the centre of it.

Ona Batlle is out of contract at Barcelona in June. The Athletic reports Arsenal are in talks to sign the Spain international on a free — Chelsea and London City are also in the picture. Barcelona want to keep her but can't match what English clubs are offering.

Victoria Pelova opened up this week in Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant about what it's like to be on the bench at Arsenal after returning from her ACL injury. Her contract expires this summer and a move elsewhere is the most likely outcome. "I want to play. That's why I'm here, abroad, alone, without my family."

Puma Ultra 6 Carbon V1.26 'Grass'
A 20th anniversary tribute to the original V1.06 'Grass' — ultra-light, carbon-soled, and covered entirely in a grass graphic. Great for speed, and ideal for anyone who sees the benefits of playing football with invisible feet. Get yours here

Wales Bonner x Adidas Predator
Designer Grace Wales Bonner reimagines the iconic Predator for the first time — leather upper, snakeskin texture, gold and brown tones. It's Predator meets fashion: bold, carefully crafted, deliberately luxurious. At £300, we’re not sure it’s something you'd want to wear on a muddy pitch. Splurge on a pair here

Women's Football Fair 3 — Sunday 17 May
Big Penny Social · Walthamstow · London E17 7JE · 11am–4pm
Independent kit brands, good people, women's football chat. What more do you need? Tickets

World Sevens — 28–30 May
Gtech Community Stadium · Brentford · TW8 0NT
Eight WSL clubs, 7v7 format, three days. Tickets on sale tomorrow. Tickets

Adobe Women's FA Cup Final — Sunday 31 May · 3pm
Wembley Stadium · HA9 0WS · Tickets

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

Sat 25 April
WSL Matchday 20

Champions League semi-finals (First leg)

Sun 26 April
WSL Matchday 20

Champions League semi-finals (First leg)

Keira Walsh — 100 caps, against Spain, as captain
The 15th Lioness to reach a century, and she did it leading the side at Wembley against the world champions. Lotte Wubben-Moy found the right way to put it: "You've played one-fifth of all Lionesses' games." Walsh's response: "It's a bit crazy to think about it like that." It really is.

Beyond The Noise: The Darker Side of Women's Sport
Women's sport is growing fast, and so is the dark side that comes with it: stalking, body image pressure, abusive comments. These aren't new issues — but they're getting worse as the profile rises. Fran Kirby, Ilona Maher and Aryna Sabalenka feature. Watch here

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