Lionesses claim crucial win over rivals in Women’s World Cup qualifier

Spain will be out for revenge as they head to Wembley in a crunch 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifier
England face rivals Spain in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley, less than nine months after the teams met in the Euro 2025 final.

The Lionesses defeated Spain on penalties to win back-to-back European Championships last summer but attention now turns to the road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Spain defeated England in the last World Cup final in Sydney, but the nature of these qualifiers has thrown together another blockbuster clash.

Spain will be without two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, who remains sidelined with a broken leg, but the world champions remain a dangerous, talented team and they will be out for revenge after losing the Euros final to Sarina Wiegman ’s side in Basel last July.

Both England and Spain have started qualifying by beating Ukraine and Iceland, so arrive into this fixture level on points in qualifying.

There is just one automatic qualification place in the four-team group, which means one of these sides will need to go through the play-offs.

Follow live updates from England v Spain from Wembley, below
‘17: Pina lays it off for Caldentey but very uncharacteristically the latter’s touch is heavy and it gets away from her!

James is there to pounce and drive it away to safety.

‘13: Spain have settled into this now and Batlle just shanks her attempt on the rebound after they have a shot blocked, sending it wide.

‘10: It’s easy to forget that Lauren James was forced off during the Euros final against Spain due to injury and didn’t even make it to half-time.

She was England’s best player when the Lionesses beat Spain here last February and she has been deployed back on the left wing, where she controlled the game in that 1-0 win.

There’s a sense of excitement amongst the fans when she gets on the ball and she’s already won the corner that led to the ball and created a chance for herself by dribbling at Ona Batlle.

‘9: Hampton plays a sloppy pass that deflects off Caldentey’s outstretched leg.

The ball falls to Lopez with the goal wide open, but she doesn’t take the opportunity; she takes a touch and Walsh gets back in time to send the ball wide.

Hampton holds her hand up in apology.

Pina’s corner is narrowly headed over the bar by Paredes.

OVER THE BAR!

England 1-0 Spain
‘7: Spain now win a corner of their own but England fare slightly better with that, as it goes out for a goal kick.

Now the Lionesses build: Stanway charges down the pitch and lays it off for James, who rounds her defender with ease but blasts over the bar.

It was chaos in the box but Russo’s touch while on the ground to flick the ball up for Hemp was remarkable!

Spain appeal, but the whole ball crossed the line!

The referees looked very unsure so thank goodness for goal line technology.

Greenwood whips in the cross.

It bounces around the box and Spain fail to clear - Russo knocks it down and Hemp is there with an acrobatic kick on the turn to score!

Spain have a real fumble at the back and want to argue against it, but it clearly crossed the line, and goal-line technology confirms it.

Russo is busy early on, sliding in on Putellas and conceding a free-kick, but no booking.

England now have an early corner...

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