Football Match Report | England 1 - 0 Spain
England secured a significant victory over Spain
This means they have seized early control of their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying group.
Author | George B
Stadium | Wembley Stadium
In a meeting that echoed both the Euro 2025 final and the 2023 World Cup decider, two of Europe’s leading sides went head to head for top spot in Group 3.
Lauren Hemp set the tone inside three minutes at Wembley, poking home from close range to hand Sarina Wiegman’s side an ideal start.
The Manchester City Women winger nearly doubled her tally soon after when a clever backheel from Lucy Bronze created space in the area, only for Hemp to slice her effort narrowly wide.
England’s early breakthrough shaped a composed first-half display
With the hosts defending with discipline and limiting Spain’s attacking threat. The reigning world champions dominated possession and threatened through Irene Paredes and Ona Batlle, but Hannah Hampton was rarely called into serious action.
With only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the tournament in Brazil, the stakes were clear, and the contest opened up after the interval.
England created further chances through Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Lucia Kendall, while Spain struck the woodwork via Olga Carmona and Vicky Lopez.
Late pressure from the visitors tested England’s resolve. Edna Imade headed wide from close range before being denied by an excellent Hampton save in the closing stages.
The result preserves England’s perfect start to qualifying, leaving them top of the group on nine points ahead of a decisive trip to Spain in June.
They next travel to Iceland, who sit third after defeating Ukraine, knowing another win would place them in a commanding position heading into the final round of fixtures this summer.
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