England vs Northern Ireland LIVE: Euro 2022 result and final score as Alessia Russo adds to Beth Mead goal

Alessia Russo made an instant impact from the bench as her quickfire double added to first-half goals from Fran Kirby and Beth Mead

Euro 2022: England will be "ruthless" in front of any opposition, says Chloe Kelly

England made it three wins out of three at Euro 2022 as the tournament hosts defeated Northern Ireland 5-0 at St Mary’s Stadium.

Having already qualified for the quarter-finals as group winners, England named an unchanged team for the third match in a row but Northern Ireland defended well in the opening stages to frustrate the Lionesses.

Northern Ireland were already unable to progress to the knockout stages but it took until Fran Kirby’s excellent strike on 40 minutes for England to take the lead, and it was swiftly followed by Beth Mead’s fifth goal of the tournament.

England made three changes at half time but it was Alessia Russo who made the biggest impact, scoring a header and then adding a quick second after a sublime turn and finish.

With England manager Sarina Wiegman unavailable for the match after testing positive for Covid-19, the Lionesses made it five late on after Northern Ireland defender Kelsie Burrows turned Mead’s cross into her own net.

England  will now look forward to a quarter-final against either Spain or Denmark next Wednesday. Follow live reaction from St Mary’s, below:

Euro 2022: England vs Northern Ireland

• GOAL! Burrows turns Mead cross into own net (5-0)
• GOAL! Russo gets second with sublime turn and finish (4-0)
• GOAL! Sub Russo adds England’s third after half time (3-0)
• GOAL! Mead doubles England’s lead shortly before half time (2-0)
• GOAL! Kirby gives England the lead with composed finish (1-0)
• Austria shock Norway in battle for second place and quarter-final spot
• England manager Sarina Wiegman tests positive for Covid-19

[15 July 2022 18:44 · Jamie Braidwood]

England vs Northern Ireland: Team news!

And here’s the answer!

England are unchanged.

[15 July 2022 18:43 · Jamie Braidwood]

England vs Northern Ireland: Sarina Wiegman on making changes

To change or not to change? That has been the question facing England manager Sarina Wiegman this week, with England’s spot at the top of Group A already secure.

Here’s what she said...

“I believe in rhythm. I think when you have nine days in between the Norwegian game and the quarter-finals, that’s too long, I think you need more rhythm and to keep the focus and keep playing.

“So I couldn’t expect lots of rotations. During the game probably, but not before.

“We have 22 players and we can only let 11 start. We will do what we believe in and give ourselves the best chance to win the next game and, yes of course, some players will be disappointed, but we keep communicating and keep being clear about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

[15 July 2022 18:42 · Jamie Braidwood]

England vs Northern Ireland: Kick-off time and how to watch

The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 15 July at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton.

How can I watch on TV and is there a live stream?

The match will be shown live on BBC One with coverage starting from 7:30pm. It will also be available to stream live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

[15 July 2022 18:39 · Jamie Braidwood]

England vs Northern Ireland: Early team news

England manager Sarina Wiegman is unavailable, but she has said that the Lionesses are unlikely to make wholesale changes despite their place as group winners already being secured. Chloe Kelly, Ella Toone and Alex Greenwood could be pushing for starts.

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels, meanwhile, has said he is already planning for the future and could have valuable tournament experience to some of the younger members of his squad. Northern Ireland remain without Simone Magill.

Predicted line-ups

England: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood; Walsh, Toone, Kirby; Mead, White, Hemp

Northern Ireland: Burns; McKenna, Nelson, McFadden, Vance; Furness, Callaghan, McCarron; Magee, K. McGuinness, Wade

[15 July 2022 18:35 · Jamie Braidwood]

Sarina Wiegman tests positive for Covid to rock Euro 2022 bid

In case you missed today’s big news - Sarina Wiegman tested positive for Covid just hours before her side’s Euro 2022 game against Northern Ireland.

A statement released by the FA on Friday morning read: “England Head Coach Sarina Wiegman has tested positive for Covid and will undertake a period of recovery at the squad’s base camp.

“Assistant coach Arjan Veurink will lead the team for tonight’s fixture against Northern Ireland.

“Wiegman will remain in remote contact with the players and technical staff and will be monitored regularly with a view to returning to all elements of her role as soon as possible.”

[15 July 2022 18:31 · Jamie Braidwood]

Good evening

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England vs Northern Ireland. We’ve reached the final group stage matches of Group A already, and even though the Lionesses have already qualified for the quarter-finals as top seeds, Sarina Wiegman’s side will look to carry on their momentum. Wiegman, though, is not here after testing positive for Covid-19.

Follow all the build-up until kick-off at 8pm right here!