Georgia Stanway celebrates scoring for EnglandGetty Images

England had 78% possession in the first half

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Pankritio Stadio

England came away from Greece with a crucial lead in their 2027 Women's World Cup play-off tie but will rue numerous missed opportunities to build a bigger advantage.

It was not a convincing performance from Sarina Wiegman's side and they conceded in the second half, which gives Greece some hope for Tuesday's second leg in Leicester.

Ioanna Papatheodorou was the home side's biggest threat and she struck the crossbar in the first half before teeing up Kallisti Brouksair for the hosts' goal after the break.

That stained an otherwise improved second-half performance from the Lionesses, who were pedestrian and unconvincing in the opening 45 minutes.

Arsenal midfielder Georgia Stanway broke the deadlock just before the interval before Maya le Tissier and Alessia Russo extended patient England's lead in the second half as Greece started to tire.

However, a lapse in concentration defensively allowed Brouksair to fire home.

Manchester United captain Le Tissier took her chance to shine in the absence of the injured Lucy Bronze and was the standout performer at right-back.

There were flashes of quality from Chelsea forward Lauren James, who nonchalantly lobbed goalkeeper Fafailia Petaloti from 30 yards in the first half, but her effort was ruled out for offside.

Further opportunities came Lauren Hemp's way, while Beth Mead struck a shot wide - but the results means there is still work to do for the back-to-back European champions.

England remain heavy favourites to progress to the second round of the play-offs, which will determine who qualifies for next year's World Cup in Brazil, but they must finish the job at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday (19:30 BST).

Should England qualify for round two, they will play either Ukraine or Slovakia. Ukraine were also 3-1 away winners in Friday's first leg.

England analysis: Job done but work to do

Maya le Tissier shoots at goalGetty Images

Manchester United defender Maya le Tissier scored her first goal for England

It was an unusual situation for England to be in the play-offs given their pedigree in major tournaments under manager Wiegman in recent years.

They won five of their six group games in qualification but dropped into the play-offs after finishing runners-up to world champions Spain on a head-to-head result.

Greece knew they would be in for a challenge against a team ranked 55 places higher in the world but England did not instantly show their superiority.

The Lionesses, despite dominating proceedings from kick-off, were pedestrian and lacking a cutting edge, something Greece almost exploited in an anxious moment in the first half.

Papatheodorou managed to break through England's midfield with ease, bypassed Leah Williamson and Esme Morgan and almost caught out goalkeeper Hannah Hampton with an audacious effort that smacked the woodwork.

It was the moment that sparked a response from England with Stanway's goal shortly after settling some nerves. The Lionesses also hit the woodwork late on, substitute Jess Park almost making it 4-1 when she struck the underside of the crossbar in injury time.

England's quality was still far superior and despite the fight from the Greeks, the hosts were up against it when they began to tire and although they introduced fresh legs from the bench, the visitors always looked more comfortable.

Player of the match

M. Le Tissier
7.56
23 K. Brouksair
5.91
13 R. Petaloti
5.88
7 I. Papatheodorou
5.88
11 I. Tzourtzevits
5.69
10 V. Sarri
5.56
19 G. Pouliou
5.34
21 S. Kongouli
5.29
8 E. Drakogiannaki
5.15
17 A. Moraitou
5.12
22 M. Paterna
5.06
15 V. Giannaka
5.06
9 E. Markou
5.00
6 G. Chalatsogianni
5.00
4 M. Gouni
4.96
18 E. Brame
4.92
14 E. Saich
4.91
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