When the Lionesses battled to a gutsy 1-0 victory over Spain in April, the question was: Can they win the World Cup playing like that?
The answer appeared to be yes. That spirited and determined performance was only two months ago, but it felt a world away watching England brutally dismantled here on Spanish turf.
The four goals they conceded were all poor, but Spain were superior in every department. They can certainly win a World Cup on that evidence. The Lionesses will now have to settle for a place in the play-offs unless Iceland do them an almighty favour when they play Spain in their final game next week.
This was the heaviest defeat of Sarina Wiegman's reign, and certainly England's worst performance. It was also their heaviest defeat for 17 years. Wiegman's team capitulated after Spain took the lead and never looked like getting back into the game.
"It was a very difficult night," Wiegman said. "The difference between us and Spain was big. We weren't at our best, although we started well. When they got rhythm after the first goal, we just didn't play to our strengths and they played really well. It is very disappointing.
"We weren't at our best tonight and Spain were and they just didn't let us get back in the game again. We have to find out what caused this. I'm frustrated and very disappointed, but so are the players.
"This is tough, the hardest moments. I've not had these moments with England, we have to recover from this and show we're a good team."
Sarina Wiegman said she was not used to experiencing tough moments like this with England - Francisco Ubilla/Reuters
There was only one change to the England team that started against Spain in April, with Ella Toone replacing Lucia Kendall in midfield. There were question marks about Toone's fitness, given she only returned from injury recently. There were also doubts over Lucy Bronze and Lauren James , but both started. England struggled all over the pitch. They were missing Leah Williamson , their captain, but she was also absent for the reverse fixture.
It is a unique situation to have the two teams that contested the last World Cup final playing against each other in qualifying for the next edition. England and Spain found themselves in the same group because, unlike the men's game, the Nations League serves as qualifying for major tournaments. Only the team who finish top of a League A group progresses automatically, with the other three teams entering the play-offs.
Should that be their route, England will face a pair of two-legged play-offs. The first would be against a team from League C, which they would be expected to win comfortably. The second play-off could be against a team from League B, but England would still be favourites to win.
The Lionesses came into this fixture three points clear of Spain, having beaten them at Wembley. Because standings are decided on head-to-head records if teams are tied on points, it meant England just needed to avoid defeat to book their place in Brazil .
In April's fixture, England scored after three minutes and then shut down Spain. This time it was Spain who struck first. Bronze gave the ball away needlessly in her own half to Patri Guijarro. She then nutmegged Georgia Stanway before sending an effort towards goal. It was not the best of strikes, but the deflection off Esme Morgan deceived Hannah Hampton , who was unable to keep it out.
It went from bad to worse for England when Alexia Putellas doubled Spain's lead. Her shot was straight at Hampton, but the goalkeeper could only parry the ball into the net.
England did not get any better and conceded the worst of their three goals 10 minutes after half-time. Ona Batlle glided past James, but her shot was blocked on the line by Bronze. The ball hit a post and Alex Greenwood and Hampton were too slow to react, which allowed Putellas to tap in.
That killed the game and most likely killed England's automatic qualification hopes. There was still time for Clàudia Pina to rub salt on the wound with a fourth goal.
There is still every chance the Lionesses will make it to Brazil, but they will have to do it the hard way.
Spain (4-3-3):Coll 6; Batlle 7, Parades 6, Mapi León 7, Corrales 7 (Carmona 84), Caldentey 8 (Serrajordi 84), Patri 8, Putellas 8 (Bonmatí 77), Lopez 7 (Pina 68), Imade 6 (Gonzalez 76), Paralluelo 6. Subs not used:Misa, Nanclares, Mendez, Athenea , Codina , Navarro, Fiamma . Goals:Patri 19, Putellas 37, 55, Pina 78.
England (4-2-3-1):Hampton 3; Bronze 3 (Charles 85) , Wubben-Moy 3 (Carter 85) , Morgan 3, Greenwood 3; Walsh 4, Stanway 4; James 3 (Kelly 59), Toone 3 ( Mead 58), Hemp 4; Russo 5. Subs not used:Moorhouse, Baggaley, Le Tissier, Blindkilde Brown, Kendall, Park, Godfrey, Fisk.
Referee:Ivana Martincic ( Croatia ).
Attendance:17,528.
10:22pm
10:07pm
10:05pm
Spain were the clear winners in Mallorca - Rafa Babot/Getty Images Europe
09:49pm
England's miserable evening is over. Spain were rampant and demolished the visitors, strolling to a 4-0 victory to move top of their World Cup qualifying group. A double from Putellas, as well as goals from Guijarro and Pina sealed the win. England drop to the second in the group and out of the automatic qualification spot.
09:47pm
There will be three minutes of added time to end this game. The full-time whistle can't arrive soon enough for England.
09:44pm
Pina attempts to pay back Bonmati with an assist via an intelligent pass into the penalty area that slices England's defence open. Bonmati gets a yard of space on the outside of Morgan, but her near-post effort is parried away by Hampton.
09:41pm
Both teams make some late changes. For Spain, Carmona and Serrajordi replace Corrales and Caldentey. Meanwhile, Charles and Carter come on for Bronze and Wubben-Moy for England.
09:38pm
There is a short break in play, with Bronze receiving treatment after an innocent collision with a Spanish player. The England defender looks to be okay and the action resumes.
09:36pm
Bonmati has not even been on the pitch for two minutes, and picks the ball up in midfield, before finding Pina with a pinpoint, perfectly-weighted pass. Pina then cuts inside and slams a powerful effort into the bottom corner. Hampton has no chance of that saving that. It's such a clinical finish. Spain are in complete control.
09:33pm
Spain make another couple alterations, with Bonmati and Gonzalez entering the action. Putellas, who has two goals, and Imade are withdrawn. The hosts are really flexing their insane squad depth.
09:30pm
Kelly floats a cross into the box. Cata Coll flaps at the delivery and fails to catch it. The ball then falls to Bronze, but her rebound is sensationally blocked by Corrales.
09:27pm
Spain combine well in attack and Putellas attempts to turn provider, playing in Pina. The forward swivels and shoots from long range, but her strike is caught by Hampton.
09:24pm
It's Spain's turn to make a substitution, with Lopez coming off for Pina.
09:23pm
England have barely threatened this evening. Confidence is oozing out of Spain's play.
09:20pm
A delightful back-heel from Guijarro sets up Lopez, who cuts inside and shoots. The youngster goes for the near post, but her low effort fizzes into the side netting. Spain's passing is just so delicate and incisive. England look completely powerless.
09:17pm
Spain should have four! Lopez whips in a corner and it's headed back across goal. This tees up an unmarked Guijarro, whose header is tipped onto the bar by Hampton.
09:15pm
England make a double change in an attempt to alter the seemingly inevitable course of this match, with Mead and Kelly replacing James and Toone.
09:11pm
Batlle dribbles into the box and does magnificently to evade James' challenge, before setting up Putellas inside the six-yard box. She slides a close-range effort under Hampton, which Bronze heroically clears off the line, but Putellas reacts quickest to tap in the rebound after the ball bounces off the post. Spain are in dreamland.
09:10pm
England come forward and the ball falls to Russo. The striker unselfishly tees up Stanway, who sidesteps her marker before powering an effort wide of the post.
09:07pm
Lopez has been so lively this evening and tries to dribble through England's backline. She travels into the penalty area, but can't quite get a shot off. England are living very dangerously at the moment. The second half has started as the first ended, with England chasing shadows.
09:05pm
Hemp initially does well to track back and stop Corrales from delivering a cross into the box. The England winger then needlessly pulls the Spaniard back, gifting the hosts a free kick in an inviting position. England defend the delivery well and head it away.
09:01pm
We are back under way for the second half. Both teams are unchanged at the break. England just need one goal to halve the deficit and reclaim top spot in the group.
08:52pm
Spain were brilliant in that first half - Credit/Getty Images Europe
08:46pm
It's been one-way traffic in Mallorca . Goals from Guijarro and Putellas have propelled a dominant Spain into a well-deserved 2-0 lead. England have been second best in every department and are lucky not to be further behind.
08:45pm
Lopez twists and turns away from Bronze, before finding Imade with a low cross. With her back to goal, the Spanish striker trips over Stanway's foot and falls to the floor. The Spain fans call for a penalty, but the referee isn't interested.
08:43pm
Spain break away from an England corner and fashion a 2v1 situation. Lopez charges forward and tries to slip in Paralluelo, Morgan is there to make a potentially goal-saving interception to thwart the attack.
08:41pm
From bad to worse for England. I'm not sure Hampton could do much about the first goal due to the deflection but she will know she should have saved that one. Spain opened England up far too easily again and you would always expect Putellas to score from a 1v1 - but her shot was down the throat of Hampton.
Bronze pulled the players into a huddle before the kick-off and seemed to be giving out a few home truths. Wiegman also looks furious. She may need to make a change at half-time. A 1-0 defeat was not the end of the world, but 2-0 gives Spain the advantage on head-to-head and goal difference.
08:37pm
Spain are ripping England apart and surge unto a two-goal lead. Caldentay's crisp pass plays in Putellas, who is through on goal. From the angle, Putellas shoots. Hampton gets a huge hand on the strike, but despite her best efforts, the ball squirms into the net. Putellas has been wasteful this evening, but she ruthlessly punishes England on that occasion.
08:37pm
Lopez finds a pocket of space and dribbles at the England defence with tremendous speed. She slaloms past Morgan, but takes a slightly heavy touch, which allows Hampton to rush out and collect the ball.
08:35pm
James does brilliantly to dribble down the wing and reach the byline. She then stands up a teasing cross towards the back post which nearly sneaks into the net. That's the closest England have come so far. One of James' teammates should have shown greater anticipation in that situation and they would of had a goal-line tap-in.
08:31pm
It's safe to say that Spain are firmly on top at the moment. England have barely got out of their own half in the last 15 minutes. The visitors are hanging on.
08:29pm
James is the next England player to give the ball away in a deep position. Spain pounce, but Paralluelo fails to capitalise, sliding a harmless cross into Hampton's grasp.
08:27pm
Greenwood gives the ball away, allowing Imade to feed Putellas, who has possession in a dangerous, central position. She's bearing down on goal and shoots, but she snatches at the effort and her strike is straight at Hampton.
08:25pm
How will England react now? It is exactly the start Spain would have wanted. Both teams are tied at the top of the group on 12 points if the scoreline stays like this, with England ahead on goal difference. A 1-0 win for the hosts here leaves the teams with the same head-to-head record, meaning Spain need a two-goal lead to move ahead of Wiegman's side.
A really poor goal for England to concede and Wiegman won't be happy about it. Bronze gave the ball away cheaply before Patri eased past Stanway. The Spain midfielder then had all the time in the world to shoot and it wasn't a great brilliant effort - but the deflection off Morgan seemed to take it away from Hampton.
08:20pm
Guijarro picks up a loose ball, nutmegs Stanway with a delightful touch, before firing a low strike at goal which takes a massive deflection. The shot fizzes out of Hampton's reach and into the bottom corner, gifting the home side the lead.
08:18pm
England play a short corner and Spain fail to clear James' cross. The ball spills out to Walsh on the edge of the area, but she whips a powerful strike over the bar.
08:14pm
Massive opportunity for Spain! A teasing cross is floated into the cross, which Morgan fails to deal with. The centre-back allows Imade to sneak in behind her and nod a header at goal. Hampton initially hesitates but the comes out to make a crucial block and save Imade's attempt.
08:11pm
Spain fashion their first half chance as Corrales clips a cross into Putellas. The captain tries to execute a diving header, but doesn't get the right connection, and her effort harmlessly bounces off target.
08:08pm
Here's a thought - and hopefully it doesn't come to this - but it is strange Sarina Wiegman has decided not to include Aggie Beever-Jones in the matchday squad.
Wiegman has a squad of 24 here in Spain and could only name 23. Not having Beever-Jones on the bench means there is no back up centre forward.
Beth Mead could play through the middle, as could Lauren Hemp , but it seems strange in a game of this magnitude you would go with three centre backs on the bench and no striker.
08:07pm
England have assumed control of the game over the last couple of minutes. They've made a confident start. Lots of early touches for James in attack and Walsh in midfield.
08:06pm
James slips in Greenwood, who breaches the Spain backline. She's through on the wing and has Russo waiting for a tap-in inside the penalty area. However, after seeing the replays, Greenwood is miles offside and her cross is cleared, before the referee sounds her whistle.
08:04pm
Unsurprisingly, it's Spain with all the possession and applying the early pressure. However, England are doing well to take the sting out of the game.
08:01pm
Spain get us under way in Mallorca. If England avoid defeat then they will qualify for the World Cup. They know what they need to do.
07:56pm
The reigning World Champions and the current European champions emerge from the tunnel. We are now minutes away from this fascinating qualifier kicking off.
07:53pm
Alessia Russo and Lauren James both start tonight and they've been handed a massive boost ahead of kick-off. The forwards have been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, taking their places on the six-player shortlist. Jess Park is on the bench and is also in contention for this coveted individual prize.
07:44pm
It's a pretty lively atmosphere here in Mallorca. A crowd of around 20,000 was expected and there's a band outside and a very enthusiastic DJ on the pitch.
Some of the England fans, however, seemed to be stuck in a queue getting in. Extensive searches were being carried out, which seems a bit over the top given there is no history of any problems between fans at this fixture. Spanish security perhaps are judging the fans in attendance by the stereotype of the England supporters who travel to watch men's international fixtures.
07:34pm
Lucy Bronze starts in England's defence - Rafa Babot/Getty Images Europe
07:21pm
Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh stroll out onto the Estadi de Son Moix pitch - Naomi Baker/The FA Collection
The England squad out in full force and taking in the pre-game surroundings - Naomi Baker/The FA Collection
07:15pm
07:12pm
The big team news is that Ella Toone, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze are all fit to start.
Sarina Wiegman sticks with the same back four that kept a clean sheet against Spain in April. Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan at centre back, with Alex Greenwood at left back.
07:07pm
Spain
The big news for Spain is that Aitana Bonmati is back in the squad for the first time in 2026 following an injury as she starts on the bench. Alexia Putellas captains the side and she's joined in midfield by Mariona Caldentey. Edna Imade gets the nod in attack ahead of Esther Gonzalez, while 2006-born winger Vicky Lopez also starts.
England
Leah Williamson misses out this evening with an injury so Keira Walsh is named as captain in her absence. Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp, who both lifted the FA Cup with Manchester City last weekend, start.
06:55pm
06:53pm
06:47pm
Good evening and welcome to our live blog for this women's World Cup qualifier between Spain and England at Estadi de Son Moix in Mallorca.
England have performed flawlessly in Group A3, taking 12 points from four games to sit in first place, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one. Meanwhile, Spain are closely chasing in second and are just three points off the group leaders.
Every time England take the field with Spain, it's a painful reminder of their 2023 World Cup final defeat. However, their record against tonight's opponents since that bruising loss in Australia is brilliant.
In their previous meeting with Spain back in April, the Lionesses won 1-0, with Lauren Hemp netting the only goal in the third minute. Last summer, England beat Spain on penalties to win the European Championship for the second successive time.
Sarina Wiegman's side currently boasts a seven-game winning run in all competitions and haven't tasted defeat since losing to Brazil in a friendly in October 2025. If England avoid defeat tonight, they'll seal their place at the 2027 World Cup.
England will be brimming with confidence, while Spain will be aiming to halt their perfect record and open up the race for first place in the group. Spain have only lost once since that Euros final, with that other defeat also arriving against England.
Spain manager Sonia Bermudez will know that her team need a win by two or more goals to swing the automatic qualification pendulum back in their favour, heightening the importance of this evening's game.
Lucy Bronze, who played with many Spanish players during her spell with Barcelona, feels the rivalry has pushed England to be better and has elevated their standards.
"Spain for us is an amazing opponent, they bring out the best in us," Bronze said. "It's one of those rivalries that we have made each other better over the years. It's good for the game and it's good for each other.
"The way Spain has improved over the past four or five years has really pushed this England team on to improve as well."
Kick-off is at 20:00, with team news on the way shortly.
