England edged past Spain at Wembley on Wednesday in a UEFA Women’s Nations League clash, claiming a 1-0 victory thanks to Jess Park’s first-half strike.
In the first meeting between the two sides since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, Sarina Wiegman’s side dominated proceedings for much of the first half and took the lead through a deflected effort.
After a string of subpar results, Wednesday’s win bolsters England fans’ confidence ahead of UEFA Euro 2025, as the Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to defend their European title.
As it happened
A chilly night under the Wembley lights in front of 46,550 fans saw England pegged back by Spanish opposition in the early stages, with Salma Paralluelo and Claudia Pina on the flanks proving dangerous in the opening exchanges.
Paralluelo’s early dance into the six-yard box saw the Barça forward dispossessed by Millie Bright, before a corner swung in by Pina was rattled against the woodwork by Lucía García from close range.
But the momentum swung in England’s favour after 20 minutes in the capital, with Irene Paredes shown yellow for a challenge on Niamh Charles that gave Lauren James the opportunity to force a save from Cata Coll at the near post from the resulting free-kick.
It sparked James into life: the 23-year-old rolled a perfectly-weighted ball through for Clinton that was swept behind for a corner by Olga Carmona before launching an effort of her own directly into the abdomen of the Spanish goalkeeper.
Sarina Wiegman’s side found their breakthrough eventually, albeit in rather scrappy fashion. Grace Clinton’s ball through to Alessia Russo on the left allowed the Arsenal forward to stab a wild effort towards goal – and while her strike was blocked by Paredes, Jess Park arrived on scene to pick up the pieces and slam home via a deflection from Paralluelo.
Embed from Getty ImagesSeemingly seeking to make amends for her contribution to England’s opener, Paralluelo threatened at the other end just moments later. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, the Spaniard unleashed a fine curling effort that looked to have Hannah Hampton beaten, but ultimately sailed a few inches wide of the far post.
Still, there looked to be one last opportunity for la Roja to restore parity before the break. Aitana Bonmatí, the two-time Ballon d’Or recipient, forced Hampton to produce a wonderful reactionary save in the 43rd minute with a dinked effort that looked destined to beat the Chelsea shotstopper.
Montse Tomé’s team talk looked to have roused her side at the break, with Spain twice threatening England’s advantage inside the opening minutes of the second half. Mariona Caldentey’s effort flew wide of the post, while García’s prodded strike from six yards out forced Hampton to save with her feet.
After a brief floodlight failure, James forced another effort from Coll shortly before the hour mark with a curled effort from long range, though the match would ultimately settle into something of a lull until Paralluelo squandered a golden opportunity to level the scoring when the ball got trapped between her feet.
Arsenal’s Mariona struck the side netting as Spain fought valiantly to restore parity inside the final quarter-hour, but England came the closest in the dying stages of the match as Chloe Kelly was denied from close range as she sought to turn Lauren James’ effort from inside the box past Coll.
Spain were ultimately forced to settle for the first defeat of their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign, as England leapfrog la Roja in the Group A3 table.
The lineups
ENG: Hampton; Charles, Bright, Williamson, Bronze; Toone, Walsh, Clinton; James, Russo, Park
ESP: Coll; Carmona, Mendez, Paredes, Batlle; Mariona, Aleixandri, Bonmatí; Paralluelo, García, Pina