England put automatic qualification for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in their own hands with a 1-0 victory against Spain at Wembley Stadium, London.
Lauren Hemp netted England’s winner with a third-minute half-volley from Alessia Russo’s chipped forward pass during a messy set-piece.
England remain top of League A3 and now three points clear of Spain who sit second, with the frontrunners set to meet in the reverse leg in Malaga on Friday 5 June in a clash which could decide who qualifies automatically for the main tournament.
Tied on six points apiece coming into this qualifier with only one automatic qualification spot available to the winners of this group, England and Spain knew that defeat would be a big dent to their prospects of advancing automatically as the match commenced.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses however began on the front foot as Lauren James forced an early deflective header from Irene Paredes to force a third-minute corner, which fell for Russo flat-out on the ground to flick forward for Hemp to smash in on the half-volley on the half-turn.
Referee, Tess Olofsson however initially didn’t allow the goal for a brief second until goal-line technology confirmed that it had crossed the line, thus sparking celebrations from the hosts.
Spain soon afterwards asserted their authority in possession but Esther Gonzalez and Parades put early headers wide, whilst James lashed a seventh-minute shot over for England on a quick break in which she cut in past Ona Batlle.
Batlle then put a 12th-minute shot wide for Spain who desperately tried to force an equaliser.
England however nearly snatched firm control of the qualifier in the 19th minute as Hemp and Lucy Bronze played an one-two move up the right, from which Bronze played a backheel flicked pass across for Hemp whose effort smashed off the left post.
Spain’s lack of composed end product continued to prove troublesome as Vicky Lopez and Batlle put shots wide, whilst their own defence denied Keira Walsh – on her 100th senior international appearance – and Alessia Russo with crucial blocks in quick succession to keep themselves in the game at half time.
England’s resistance was tested in the 50th minute as Patricia Guijarro slipped Olga Carmona through, yet the Spanish left-back struck her shot onto the underside of the bar and luckily bounced away from the line.
Lucia Kendall and Russo wasted chances to further extend England’s lead in the space of two minutes before James curled wide in the 57th minute, after she had twisted her way past Guijarro to bend agonisingly wide of the left corner.
Spain continued to enjoy possession as Lopez forced a 68th-minute block from Hannah Hampton as the reigning world champions struggled to find their penetrating final touch to beat the England goalkeeper.
Such was Spain’s pressure, England were lucky to not be reduced to ten women in the 83rd minute after Georgia Stanway caught Lopez in the face with her outstretched left foot, as the pair chased a dinking ball.
England eventually clung on for victory to move three points clear of their rivals for automatic qualification as Hampton punched away a 90th-minute header from Spain substitute, Edna Imade.
What’s Next?
England head to Iceland for their fourth qualifier in this group on Saturday 18 April at 6:30pm CEST (5:30pm) at Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik.
Spain meanwhile host Ukraine at Estadio Nuevo Arcangel, Cordoba, at 4pm CEST (3pm BST).
Teams
England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan, Alex Greenwood, Lucia Kendall (Blindkilde Brown 72′), Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Lauren James (Kelly 81′)
Substitutes: Keira Barry, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Taylor Hinds, Chloe Kelly, Maya Le Tissier, Beth Mead, Anna Moorhouse, Jess Park, Erica Meg Parkinson, Ellie Roebuck
Spain: Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi Leon, Olga Carmona (Corrales 75′), Mariona Caldentey, Patricia Guijarro (Serrajordi 81′), Alexia Putellas, Vicky Lopez, Esther Gonzalez (Paralluelo 62′), Claudia Pina (Imade 75′)
Substitutions: Fiamma Benitez, Laia Codina, Lucia Corrales, Jana Fernandez, Edna Imade, Maria Mendez, Adriana Nanclares, Eva Navarro, Salma Paralluelo, Misa, Clara Serrajordi, Athenea del Castillo
Referee – Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
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