Only the winners of League A3 qualify automatically for the World Cup in Brazil, meaning one of world champions Spain or European champions England will have to go through the play-offs.
For England, their task in these two opening qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland has been to get two wins, boost the goal difference and keep confidence high before a 2023 World Cup final rematch against the Spanish on 14 April.
It is a mission, by and large, accomplished – six points, eight goals and momentum maintained for the big tests to come.
There are plenty of encouraging signs for England as they build in the current cycle up to Brazil, notably on the left wing.
Taylor Hinds seems to have sewn up the left-back slot since her England debut against Australia in the post-Euros friendlies, and here she combined consistently with Lauren James to challenge the Iceland defence.
England’s opener came from James – back to her lively best after injuries hampered her campaign in Switzerland last summer – teeing up the overlapping Hinds to swing a cross from the by-line on to the head of Bronze.
James started on the left with Jess Park moved into the middle. Park has impressed on the wing for Manchester United this season and scored twice from there against Ukraine on Tuesday.
But England manager Sarina Wiegman has made clear she views Park as an option in a number of roles. The 24-year-old had a quieter match here, but having been a squad player in recent years she is playing a key part in these qualifiers.
Ultimately this was an accomplished England performance that made a good Icelandic side, ranked 16th in the world, look ordinary.
And it maintains England’s remarkable record in World Cup qualifying. They are unbeaten in 24 home qualifiers, and have not conceded a single goal in nearly 24 years, since France scored in October 2002.
