The host nation recorded the most goals scored in a Women's Euro group stage thanks to 14 goals in three games.

Sarina Wiegman, England's head coach, was forced to miss her side's stunning performance after testing positive for COVID-19 and assistant manager Arjan Veurink took the reigns.

The electric atmosphere at St Mary's in Southampton erupted inside six minutes when England were awarded an early penalty when Laura Rafferty was adjudged to have handled in the area.

Northern Ireland escaped on this occasion once Swiss referee Esther Staubli overturned the decision after consulting with the video assistant referee, judging that there an infringement in the build-up.

Their resistance was eventually broken five minutes before half-time when Fran Kirby finessed her strike into the top corner in front of a crowd of 30,785.

Beth Mead doubled England's lead just before the break.

Shortly after the restart, Alessia Russo grabbed her sixth goal in 10 appearances for England and her team's third of the match.

Russo added to England's advantage only minutes later after managing to spin, open her body and convert.

For England's fifth, Northern Ireland were struck by misfortune when Kelsie Burrows stuck out a leg to thwart a cross from Mead, but it instead looped over goalkeeper Jackie Burns and into the goal.

England are expected play the runner-up of Group B, a position currently held by Spain.

They are due to meet third-placed Denmark at the Brentford Community Stadium in London tomorrow, with Group leaders Germany taking on bottom placed Finland at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.

In the other Group A match, Austria ensured a dominating first-half performance did not go to waste as they defeated Norway at the Falmer Stadium in Brighton watched by 12,667 spectators.

Austria almost made the breakthrough when Laura Feiersinger struck a half-volley and Guro Pettersen fumbled it off the crossbar.

Their deserved lead came eight minutes from time when Nicole Billa headed into the corner from a Verena Hanshaw cross after the Norwegian defence failed to pick her up in the area.

The chances continued to flow for Austria but they failed to put the game out of reach of their opponents.

However, Norway failed to capitalise on their missed opportunities.