Kazakhstan 0-6 England: Beth Mead scores twice on full debut to round off World Cup qualifying campaign

Mead was one of seven players handed their first full starts by coach Phil Neville

Rachel Daly celebrates scoring England’s second goal (Rex Shuttershock)

Beth Mead marked her full Lionesses debut with two goals as England Women wrapped up their World Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 6-0 victory in Kazakhstan.

Mead was one of seven players handed their first full starts by coach Phil Neville after qualification for the tournament in France next year was assured with a win over Wales on Friday evening.

And Neville’s decision paid off handsomely as a young Lionesses team created plenty of opportunities to breach the deep defence of the side sitting bottom of Group 1.

Arsenal star Mead grabbed the opener from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after being fouled by Kazakh keeper Oksana Zheleznyak.

And the Kazakhs had no answer to England’s marauding forward line with Lauren Bruton and Leah Williamson both going close to extending the visitors’ lead.

Rachel Daly made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark when she provided a neat finish to a cross by Hannah Blundell.

And England’s attack continued to breach the home defence as Izzy Christiansen grazed the outside of the post before the Manchester City player extended England’s lead shortly after the interval.

Blundell turned provider again to set up a debut goal for Birmingham midfielder Lucy Staniforth in the 66th minute.

The lively Mead hit the post with her second penalty but made amends shortly afterwards when she made it 5-0 with a neat lobbed finish over the stranded Zheleznyak.

The superb Bruton completed a memorable performance when she squared for Lucy Bronze to net England’s sixth from close range.

PA