Goals flow for France and England

France completed their second impressive win in UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying with a 3-1 success against the Republic of Ireland, while England bettered that scoreline by returning to winning ways with a 4-0 defeat of Slovenia.

England were stunned when Serbia rallied from two down to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday, but there were no such dramas this time for Hope Powell's side who overcame Slovenia 4-0 in Swindon. Two goals inside the first five minutes by Rachel Yankey and Ellen White settled any nerves and the 2009 tournament runners-up scored twice more after the break through Stephanie Houghton and, with her first international strike, substitute Rachel Williams. The victory takes England top of Group 7, a point above the Netherlands, who have a game in hand, with the two to meet in Zwolle next month.

France won the battle of the early pacesetters in Group 4 as second-half goals secured a 3-1 triumph against the Republic of Ireland in Cork. The FIFA Women's World Cup semi-finalists took the lead on 62 minutes through Louisa Necib before two substitutes secured the points for Les Bleues. Marie-Laure Delie doubled the visitors' advantage and Eugénie Le Sommer confirmed their success five minutes later, rendering Aine O'Gorman's late effort academic.

Kazakhstan ended a nine-match losing streak, including Saturday's opening 3-0 reverse against Romania, by beating visitors Turkey 2-0 in Group 2. Second-half efforts from Larissa Li and Begaim Kirgizbaeva mean that Kazakhstan currently stand level with Germany, Switzerland, Romania and Spain on three points.

On Wednesday, Norway, Denmark, Russia and the Netherlands all registered wins while Germany were among the teams showing form last weekend. Qualifying resumes on 12 October with Scotland's Group 4 trip to Israel, followed by two full programmes of games later that month.