Lauren James starred as England beat Iceland 2-0 at a sold-out City Ground to maintain their 100 per cent start to their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Lucy Bronze, winning her 145th cap, opened the scoring with a looping header midway through the first half, the right back's 22nd goal for her country.
The home side needed a second-half Hannah Hampton wonder save to preserve their slender lead, before Georgia Stanway calmed the Lionesses' nerves by volleying home a second with 12 minutes to play.
As a result, Sarina Wiegman's side stay in first place in Group A3 ahead of world champions Spain on goal difference, who beat Ukraine 3-1 on Saturday. The two finalists from the last World Cup meet in their next qualifer at Wembley Stadium on April 14 with only one team qualifying automatically for the competition in Brazil.
Wiegman picked an attacking line-up for the second match of the qualifying campaign in the knowledge that goal difference could be crucial, although Iceland proved far sterner opponents than Ukraine had in England's first game on Tuesday when the visitors scored six second-half goals.
It took the hosts until the 22nd minute to make the breakthrough as James got free down the left and picked out Bronze's run to the back post, although the Chelsea full back still had a lot to do to beat Cecilia Runarsdottir with a header that floated into the far corner.
England, going in search of a second goal to give them breathing space, hit the post twice before half-time as the elusive James proved impossible to stop down the left - but the visitors defended stubbornly to frustrate the European champions.
And were it not for a world-class save from Hampton, who somehow dived full length to claw away Sandra Jessen's header that seemed destined for the far corner, Iceland would have drawn level on the hour mark.
That scare woke up a listless England, with Stanway soon doubling their lead with a well-struck volley into the bottom corner having been found by Bronze's cross from the right-hand byline for her 32nd international goal.
However, England know that it will be their double header with Spain that will ultimately decide whether they progress automatically to Brazil next year, or have to face the uncertainty of the play-offs.
England manager Sarina Wiegman:
"I'm totally not frustrated at the moment, happy with the performance and camp. Two games, six points. I think Iceland is a very disciplined team, lots of power, compact, and very hard to break down.
"We created lots of big chances with very good football. We could've scored more, we obviously want that too but the most important thing is we win the game.
"Hannah made a great save which was crucial then we scored. We want to score more goals but the win and clean sheet makes me happy.
"We hope we gave everyone a great afternoon and we entertained them [the fans].
"Overall, I'm happy with the camp. It helps when you get the six points. The team worked really hard on the pitch improving as a team and as individuals."
England forward Lauren James to ITV Sport:
"I really enjoyed it. It's always nice being back in this shirt after being out for a while. Whenever I cut in I always know Lucy [Bronze] is back post and I can dink it back to her. She is good at using her head.
"It is always a good game against them [Spain], two quality sides, and we look forward to it."
England defender Lucy Bronze to ITV Sport:
"It's really nice to get the extra cap past Karen Carney, a huge Lioness legend and to be behind Fara Williams and Jill Scott. The three of them are close friends of mine, team-mates from the past, I'm just really proud to represent my country so many times.
"We remember the last game we played against them [Spain] at Wembley, the atmosphere was incredible. It was a tight game and I think we're all looking forward to it and I'm sure the Spanish girls are as well."
Your Site News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:
This was arguably Lauren James' best game since coming back from injury, which great for both England and Chelsea.
The WSL champions are in the League Cup final a week on Sunday, a fit and firing James could be a difference maker not just next weekend but in the FA Cup and Champions League too.
As for Georgia Stanway, the No 8 can't stop scoring for England, while it was also an assist and a goal for Bronze on the day the right back rose to No 3 on England's all-time appearance makers.
