England defeated Latvia 20-0 in a Women's World Cup qualifier.

With a hat-trick, the striker breaks England's women's goalscoring record.

Ellen White celebrates scoring England's third goal, surpassing Kelly Smith's tally of 46 to become the country's all-time leading goalscorer.

It was unavoidable, but Ellen White couldn't believe it: arms outstretched, fists thumping, pleasure imprinted on her face. It had only taken her three minutes to equal and then surpass Kelly Smith's England goalscoring record of 46.

The Manchester City forward, making her 101st appearance, was overcome with emotion and almost forgot her trademark goggle celebration as she skidded on to her back to be engulfed by her teammates nine minutes into their record 20-0 victory, surpassing the previous best, a 13-0 defeat of Hungary in this World Cup qualifier in Doncaster in 2005.

"We don't need to talk about it anymore," White stated gently, noting the importance of her teammates in propelling her to the top of the leaderboard. "It's been spoken about for a long time, and I'm quite proud of it."

"I'm not done yet." Kelly Smith is a legend, and I was fortunate to have played with her... she will always be the finest, in my opinion."

Jordan Nobbs, Jill Scott, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Jess Carter, and Beth England all scored hat-tricks as the Lionesses added to White's record-breaking match with more records tumbled, debuts were made, and first senior goals were scored.

Jordan Nobbs, Jill Scott, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Jess Carter, and Beth England all scored hat-tricks as the Lionesses ensured White's record-breaking match would be remembered as more records were broken, debuts were made, and first senior goals were scored.

It also increased the demand for pre-qualifiers. "I believe we need to take a look at it," manager Sarina Wiegman remarked. "Of course, you want competitive games, and these aren't them." Every country wants to grow the women's game, but I don't think the current scores are healthy. I know that has gotten the attention of the federations, as well as Uefa and Fifa, which I believe is a good thing because I don't think a 20-0 is beneficial for anyone's growth."

The part-time team's 10-0 defeat in Latvia meant that White's goal-scoring record, which he had moved one goal closer to in the 1-0 win over Austria on Saturday, was up for grabs. Perhaps the only thing standing between her and history was the knowledge that it was on its way.

Mead would score just three minutes in to give them a lead that would remind them how easily they could rip apart the Latvian defense.

White equaled Smith three minutes later with an unusual 20-yard strike that sailed past goalie Laura Sinutkina.

Good things happen in threes, and White's City teammate Stanway zipped the ball around the defense for the record-breaker to tap in in the ninth minute. With history being made, the drawback may have been how few people were present to witness it, since gridlock around the stadium forced many supporters into Keepmoat Stadium long into the first half. They didn't have to be concerned; England was on there to put on a show for the inevitably sizable and raucous crowd.

Mead scored her second and third goals of the night, sandwiching Hemp's first and second senior international goals — for a total of four on the night. Before the halftime, Toone added England's eighth goal.

Shortly after the restart, White scored a hat-trick of her own, tying Gary Lineker and Harry Kane for the most England goals with 48, five fewer of Wayne Rooney's record of 53.

She sarcastically chuckled, "Thanks for mentioning it, that's awesome." "To be honest, I'm just concentrating on what I can control: playing for England, loving what I'm doing, and helping the team win wherever I can."

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