England took an enormous step in direction of qualifying robotically for the Girls’s World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win towards Spain at Wembley.
It was the primary time the 2 sides met since July’s Euro 2025 closing, by which the Lionesses received on penalties to defend their title, having misplaced to La Roja two years beforehand within the World Cup closing.
A house recreation towards the world’s top-ranked group was at all times going to be England’s greatest match, and so they made the right begin as Lauren Hemp scrambled house the opener inside three minutes.
It regarded to have gone all the way in which over the road earlier than Spain scooped it away, and purpose line expertise confirmed that it had – by one inch – as Hemp wheeled away in celebration.
The Manchester Metropolis winger may have scored a second quickly after, however may solely discover the publish. England continued to see the higher of the primary half possibilities – Keira Walsh and Alessia Russo going shut – with Spain having only one shot on track as their assault regarded uncharacteristically blunt.
This modified in the beginning of the primary half when an end-to-end battle noticed each groups waste large alternatives. Olga Carmona and Vicky Lopez each hit the woodwork – the previous’s additionally wanted affirmation by way of purpose line expertise as small margins determined the sport.
Lauren Hemp celebrates her early purpose towards Spain of their Girls’s World Cup qualifier
Lucia Kendall, Lauren James and Russo all fired agonisingly huge on the different finish as England continued to probe for a second.
Hannah Hampton was wanted late on although as Edna Imade nodded her method from a nook, however the goalkeeper denied the Bayern Munich ahead from point-blank vary.
Vicky Lopez noticed plenty of possibilities missed as England beat Spain
It’s a large end result that sees England go three factors clear on the high of Group A3 forward of Spain. Solely the group on the high of the group qualifies robotically for subsequent summer time’s World Cup in Brazil, with the runner-up heading right into a play-off.
The Lionesses play their second qualifier of the break in Iceland on Saturday, whereas Spain face Ukraine in Cordoba.
Extra to observe.
