Sarina Wiegman’s bold calls take Lionesses step closer to World Cup
England 1 Spain 0
If there has been one criticism of Sarina Wiegman’s glory-laden tenure as England manager, it is that she can, at times, be too cautious.
The accusations are as follows: the same players play every game, there is insufficient rotation and their patterns of play are repetitive.
But for this crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain, Wiegman ripped up her own playbook.
Her team selection was perhaps the boldest of her reign to date and it paid off spectacularly. Wiegman’s hand was somewhat forced, given Leah Williamson and Ella Toone , two regulars, were unavailable because of injury. But her team selection was brave and based on form.
Lotte Wubben-Moy, who has been excellent for Arsenal this season, started at centre-back alongside Esme Morgan . The two have rarely played together at international level but performed superbly to keep a clean sheet against the world champions.
Lucia Kendall , who had just five caps before Tuesday’s game, started in midfield in what was undoubtedly the biggest night of her career to date.
Even Wiegman’s substitutes were bold, with Laura Blindkilde Brown replacing Kendall in the 72nd minute. Blindkilde Brown, a key player for Manchester City this season, had only made two appearances before this game.
There was little that was pretty about England’s narrow victory, even the goal was scruffy. But any win against Spain is a good one.
This home qualifier against Spain and the return fixture in June were always going to be key. Only the team that finishes top of this Nations League group will qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup; the rest will have to settle for a place in the play-offs. England are now undoubtedly in the driving seat.
Can England win a World Cup playing like this? Why not? We saw during last year’s European Championship that England are often a “moments” team and this performance was yet more evidence of that. They also have a grittiness and determination that can drag them over the line in big moments.
“As a team we really fought today,” Wiegman said. “We always have to fight but in lots of the games we have played recently, we have had the ball a lot ourselves. This demanded something different from us than what we have recently shown and I think we did that very well.”
Williamson’s fitness was the biggest question mark before this fixture. The England captain had missed Arsenal’s last five games because of a hamstring injury and, despite Wiegman being hopeful she would return in time, she was not even fit enough for a place on the bench. As it turned out, it did not matter. Wubben-Moy and Morgan were both excellent. Wubben-Moy has found opportunities at international level hard to come by, having been an unused squad member at the last three tournaments.
“They haven’t played that much [together], in the last camp they played 45 minutes,” Wiegman said of her centre-backs. “That says a lot about them. I think they did really well. This is the highest level we get and tactically Spain are very good. They should be proud of themselves.”
Kendall, meanwhile, did not look out of place on the big stage. She handled the challenge of Spain’s dynamic and dangerous midfield with the composure of a player beyond her years. The 21-year-old undoubtedly has a bright future. She started alongside the more experienced Keira Walsh , who was making her 100th appearance, and Georgia Stanway .
Games between England and Spain are usually tight, so the Lionesses’ quick start was crucial. They took the lead after just third minutes – their quickest goal at new Wembley – through a corner. Alex Greenwood ’s delivery caused a scramble in the box and, despite being on the floor, Alessia Russo produced a fine piece of skill to scoop the ball towards Lauren Hemp, who produced a first-time shot on the spin. Alexia Putellas looked to have cleared her effort but goal-line technology alerted referee Tess Olofsson that the ball had crossed the line.
The game settled into a familiar rhythm of Spain dominating possession and England struggling to get out of their own half. England deployed a low block – a tactic that opponents regularly utilise against them – but it worked perfectly.
Once they went ahead, being without the ball suited the Lionesses and there were moments where they could and should have extended their lead. Hemp nearly scored what would have been a wonderful second goal after playing a one-two with Lucy Bronze , which included a back-heel in the build-up, but her effort struck the post.
Both Kendall and Russo should probably have scored early in the second half but neither could find the target from good shooting positions. Wiegman cut a frustrated figure when Kendall fired over the bar and when Russo sent her effort wide. Thankfully, those misses did not matter.
Spain were equally inefficient in the final third. Vicky López hit the post when she should have found the net before Irene Parades headed over the bar from close range.
The biggest moment of the second half came in the 90th minute, when Hannah Hampton made a fantastic save to deny Salma Paralluelo from point-blank range.
Match details
England (4-3-3):Hampton 7; Bronze 7, Morgan 7, Wubben-Moy 8, Greenwood 7; Walsh 7, Stanway 8, Kendall 7 (Blindkilde Brown 72); Hemp 7, Russo 7, James 7 (Kelly 81).
Subs not used:Moorhouse, Roebuck, Le Tissier, Carter, Hinds, Parkinson, Mead
, Park, Charles, Barry.
Booked:Bronze.
Goal:Hemp 3.
Spain (4-3-3):Coll 5; Batlle 6, Leon 6, Paredes 5, Carmona 6 (Corrales 75); Guijarro 6 (Serrajordi 81) Caldentey 6, Putellas 5; Lopez 6, Esther 5 (Paralluelo, 62), Pina
5 (Imade 75).
Subs not used:Benitez, Codina
, Fernandez, Mendez, Nanclares, Navarro, Misa, Athena.
Booked:Parades.
Referee:Tess Olofsson ( Sweden
).
Attendance:62,306.
09:12pm
England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers
April 18: Iceland vs England
June 5: Spain vs England
June 9: England vs Ukraine
Halfway through the group stages, England are top by three points. Two of their final three games are away from home, including a trip to Spain, and tonight’s home win over Spain is pretty significant.
09:07pm
Post-match thoughts of Sarina Wiegman
“I am really happy, we got a good result. We had to defend a lot as we know how good Spain are on the ball. You have to defend really well and be really compact. We got our chances too as did they. Sometimes you just have to fight to get a result and I thought we did. We were pushed back more than we thought. Sometimes we could have kept the ball a bit better, which would have meant we could have created more momentum. I am very grateful that I am part of this with England. It is so good that we celebrate the generations before us and there are similarities to the Netherlands.”
“This is a good step forward but it will be a short turnaround for the game against Iceland. We can be happy now but then switch straight away to Iceland and put in a good performance there.”
09:04pm
Keira Walsh speaking to ITV
09:00pm
League A Group 3 table through three games
-
England- 9 points
-
Spain- 6 points
-
Iceland- 3 points
-
Ukraine- 0 points
This is as it stands, with Iceland currently 1-0 up against Ukraine with around 20 minutes remaining in that game.
08:58pm
FT stats
Possession:England 37%-63% Spain
Shots:9-21
Shots on target:2-3
Corners:2-8
Touches in opposition box:21-40
Spain had plenty of chances to get something from this game but return home with nothing. England were hanging on for a lot of that second half but take a massive three points.
08:54pm
Full time
Spain have a late, late corner. The ball is whipped in but England deal with the danger.
That is the final act as there is the final whistle and England hold on to claim an important 1-0 victory over Spain thanks to Hemp’s early goal. This win for Sarina Wiegman’s side puts them three points clear of Spain and, with just one automatic qualification spot up for grabs, this victory could be essential.
08:52pm
90+3 mins: England 1 Spain 0
A great late opportunity for Spain to equalise as Corrales clips in a cross from the left all the way to the back post. The ball ends up hitting Lopez and going behind for a goal kick with just seconds remaining.
08:50pm
90+2 mins: England 1 Spain 0
England are holding on but only have a few minutes left to cling on for the victory.
08:49pm
90+1 mins: England 1 Spain 0
The corner is sent in and England just about scramble it clear after some nervy moments inside their own box.
08:48pm Video
90 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Spain have a corner out on the right. Leon swings it and picks out Imade, who must have thought she was going to bring Spain level, but is denied by a fine reflex save from Hampton.
There will be four minutes of added time.
08:47pm
89 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Spain have threatened an equaliser for quite some time but just have not been able to put the ball into the net as we approach added time. Probably four or five minutes will be added on.
08:45pm
87 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Parraluelo, who has been great for Spain since coming on, clips in a dangerous cross from the left side of the box and picks out Imade, whose header goes wide. Should she have done better with that opportunity?
08:43pm
85 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Bronze brings down Parraluelo and is booked in what can only be described as a professional foul. Parraluelo’s pace has caused Bronze problems since coming on.
08:42pm
84 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Spain want a penalty but instead a goal kick is given. Stanway’s boot was high as she looked to hook the ball away inside her own box but Lopez gets her head near it. The ball comes off Lopez after Stanway kicked it and goes behind for a goal-kick. Stanway got the ball and it would have been harsh to have given a penalty for that. There is no VAR anyway.
08:40pm
82 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Paralluelo shows great pace down Spain’s left to drive forward past Bronze and get into the England penalty area but her cross is gathered by Hampton.
08:39pm
81 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Are Spain going to be forced into a change her? Guijarro appears to have rolled her ankle and is down in some pain. She is being helped off the pitch and is looking pretty uncomfortable. She is going to be replaced by Serrajordi.
England have also made a change and it is met with great acclaim as Kelly comes on for James.
08:36pm
77 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Bronze is penalised for handball just outside the England box and that was very harsh. Bronze’s arm was down by her side and the ball was struck from not very far away.
Lopez clips it in but the delivery is poor as Walsh clears at the front post.
08:33pm
75 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Double change for Spain as Corrales and Imade come on. Pina and Carmona head off.
08:30pm
72 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Sarina Wiegman makes her first change of the night as Kendall is replaced by Blindkilde Brown.
08:28pm
70 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Paredes missed a good opportunity from a corner in the first half and misses a similar one now. Pina puts in a lovely delivery to the back post, where Parades meets it, but she cannot guide her header on target.
08:27pm
68 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Lopez cuts inside onto her left foot on the right side of the penalty area and gets her shot away but it is a fairly routine save for Hampton. Spain are on top at the moment and Sarina Wiegman might be thinking of a few changes.
08:23pm
64 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Pina gets the better of Bronze down Spain’s left and clips a dangerous ball to the back post but Lopez is unable to get her head on the end of the cross.
08:20pm
62 mins: England 1 Spain 0
The first change of the night is made by the visitors as Paralluelo replaces Gonzalez up top for Spain.
08:20pm Analysis
61 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Huge moments for England and two really bad misses from Lucia Kendall and Alessia Russo. In tight games against the best opposition you have got to convert those. Receiving the ball in the middle of the area, with time and space, to then miss the target as Kendall did felt unforgivable. Russo’s miss was just as bad, running in on goal, she also failed to hit the target with just the goalkeeper to beat. On both occasions, Sarina Wiegman was furious in the touchline.
Spain have hit the woodwork twice since half time and England are living so dangerously at 1-0. Lauren James has also missed a chance you would expect her to take, rolling the defender to create the shot but then curling it well wide.
08:17pm
58 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Russo spins Paredes and is brought down. Despite the Spain centre-back’s protestations, she is correctly booked.
08:16pm Video
57 mins: England 1 Spain 0
It is chance after chance at the moment and the latest opportunity falls to England. James spins Guijarro and drives into the Spain penalty area on the right side. James then looks to pick out the far corner but it goes wide of the far post.
08:15pm Key moments • Video
55 mins: England 1 Spain 0
This second half has already been jam-packed with chances for both sides as Spain now hit the post. Lopez plays the ball forward into the path of Battle, who from the right side of the box then repays the favour by cutting it back to Lopez, who fires towards the far corner but it comes off the outside of the post.
08:13pm Key moments
54 mins: England 1 Spain 0
A second big chance for England in quick succession. Bronze plays a lovely ball in behind to pick out the run of Russo. Spain centre-back Leon gets back to do just enough to put off Russo, who drags her effort wide of the far post.
08:11pm Key moments
52 mins: England 1 Spain 0
That was a big chance for Kendall and England should double their lead. James wins the ball high up the pitch for England and the ball comes to Russo, who drives into the Spain penalty area on the left side. Russo unselfishly cuts it back into the path of Kendall, who is in space in the centre of the box but her effort goes over the bar. At the very least she should be hitting the target.
08:09pm Key moments • Video
50 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Spain think they are level but are denied by a matter of inches. Carmona’s shot from inside the box takes a significant deflection off the sliding Bronze and loops over Hampton’s head. Everyone watches to see what happens next as the ball strikes the bar and comes back down but not over the line.
08:08pm
49 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Hampton does brilliantly. The ball is played in behind the England defence and Lopez looks like she will have a free run all the way from halfway. However, Hampton reads the situation really well, racing out of her box to make the clearance.
08:04pm
46 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Hemp got England off to the perfect start in the first half and she is quickly into the action in the second as her cross from the right is cut out by Leon.
08:03pm
Second half
We are back under way at Wembley.
07:58pm
Just over the line
Lauren Hemp’s early goal only just over the line, and I mean only just. The ball only just fully crossed the line by a matter of inches.
07:54pm
HT stats
Possession:England 37%-63% Spain
Shots:6-10
Shots on target:2-1
Corners:2-3
Touches in opposition box:13-14
07:48pm
Half-time
The first half is brought to an end and England take a one-goal lead into the break thanks to Hemp’s early goal.
07:46pm
45 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Caldentey clips in a cross from the right into the path of Guijarro, whose shot from a narrow angle on the six-yard box is saved by Hampton.
Due to the delay when Bronze received some treatment, we will have three added minutes.
07:45pm Opinion
44 mins: England 1 Spain 0
That was perhaps a little naughty from Alexia Putellas. She caught Lucy Bronze on the nose with her elbow and it certainly looked like she moved it in the direction of Bronze, knowing she was there. The England defender needed a cotton wool patch up her nose to stop the bleeding - not dissimilar to when Hannah Hampton needed one during the Euros. There is no VAR so that Putellas incident cannot be checked.
07:43pm Analysis
43 mins: England 1 Spain 0
England are having familiar problems against Spain. They cannot play through their press, keep giving the ball away inside their own half and then struggle to get it back again.
After Lauren Hemp hit the post at the end of a rapid counterattack, it took England 11 minutes to get the ball back into Spain’s half of the pitch. It had looked like it would only be a matter of time until the visitors equalised but their shooting has been poor and for all the pressure exerted, Hannah Hampton has not had a big save to make yet,
England have offered a bit more going forward in the last few minutes and Alessia Russo has forced a good save, but they cannot sustain that momentum.
07:41pm
41 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Play is halted as Bronze has gone down inside her own box. As she headed a cross away, she then made contact with Putellas’ shoulder and went down clutching her head. No malice from Putellas, just a genuine attempt to go for the ball, but still a painful blow for Bronze, who eventually is back to her feet.
07:37pm
36 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Chance for England. Spain give the ball away so poorly deep inside their own half and Russo takes it on the edge of the box. She skips past a couple of challenges before getting a shot away from a narrow angle but it is straight at Coll.
07:36pm
35 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Bronze’s cross from the right is blocked by Leon but the ball rolls behind for a corner. Stanway takes it short to James, whose cross is a poor one. Spain’s clearance is not the best though and England keep it alive. The ball is worked to the unmarked Walsh on the edge of the box but her shot is blocked. The ball ends up back with England’s captain for the night but she blazes her effort over the bar.
07:33pm Key moments
33 mins: England 1 Spain 0
That is a big, big chance for the Spain right-back Battle. She receives the ball on the edge of the England penalty area and shows good feet to get past a few England defenders before getting her shot away from ten yards out. She cannot keep her effort down though and it goes over Hampton’s bar.
07:32pm
32 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Spain are dominating possession, around 65% so far, and are starting to pin England back. Sarina Wiegman’s side looked comfortable sat back and counter-attacing to good effect but are starting to come under more pressure.
07:28pm
28 mins: England 1 Spain 0
England give the ball away deep inside their own half and Spain are threatening on the edge of the box. Lopez receives it centrally and opens up her body, looking for the far corner, but her effort goes wide.
07:27pm
26 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Gonzalez nearly gets on the end of a forward ball into the England box but there is slightly too much on the pass and it goes through to Hampton.
07:23pm Analysis
23 mins: England 1 Spain 0
That was so close to being a fantastic second goal for England and Lauren Hemp. It was a wonderful build-up, with Lucy Bronze producing a back-heel to guide the ball into Hemp’s path. The forward’s first-time effort was a good one but it just hit the inside of the post and bounced out of danger for Spain. England had been struggling to get out of their half before that move but that shows how dangerous they can be on the break.
07:20pm Key moments • Video
19 mins: England 1 Spain 0
What a goal that would have been for England and Hemp was nearly at the double! Hemp exchanges a lovely one-two with Bronze on the right side of the box, including a lovely back heel from the latter, before the former shoots. Hemp’s effort looks destined for the far corner but comes back off the post.
07:17pm
17 mins: England 1 Spain 0
That was poor from Caldentey, with space opening up for her in a central position just outside the England box but her two touches are woeful, allowing the ball to get away from her and the chance is gone.
07:12pm Analysis
11 mins: England 1 Spain 0
The first time Lauren James picks up the ball and drives at the Spain defence it puts them into retreat and from the resulting corner England take the lead. It’s a strange goal, Lauren Hemp’s close range shot squeezing through the legs of Alexia Putellas as she gets into a tangle and just about creeps over the line.
But there is also a lovely bit of skill from Alessia Russo to get the assist. Despite lying on her back inside the area,having challenged for the initial header, the Arsenal striker cleverly scooped a pass through a crowd of bodies to get it to Hemp.
07:09pm
9 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Spain have created a few decent opportunities from corners already but failed to fully capitalise on them. The delivery is sent in from the right and Paredes wins the header. She is around eight yards out but her header goes just over. That was a decent chance for Spain to equalise.
07:07pm
7 mins: England 1 Spain 0
Another chance for England. James is found in space on the left and drives into the Spain penalty area. She fronts up Battle and gets the better of her, faking a shot on her right before cutting back onto her left to get past Battle, but fires her shot over.
07:03pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Hemp gives England early lead
A mad scramble inside the penalty area results in Hemp putting England ahead. Greenwood’s delivery causes all sorts of problems in the box and Spain fail to clear. Russo was on the ground but flicks it into the path of Hemp, who swings her body around inside the six-yard box to volley first time. Putellas is unable to sort out her feet in time to make the clearance and the ball just creeps across the line. It literally only just crossed the line by a matter of inches but Putellas should not have allowed that to go in. The perfect start for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
07:03pm
3 mins: England 0 Spain 0
The first corner of the game goes the way of the hosts as James’ cross from out on the left deflects off Batlle and spins behind...
07:02pm
2 mins: England 0 Spain 0
Russo is a touch fortunate there. She slides in on a challenge on Guijarro and it was an honest tackle attempting to get the ball but gets none of it and fouls Guijarro. Had that foul happened later in the game, she may have been booked for that.
07:00pm
Kick-off
We are under way at Wembley. This is a big fixture for both sides, with only one automatic qualification place up for grabs. Neither side will want to have to go through a play-off.
06:57pm
Reminder of the teams
England: Hampton, Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Greenwood, Walsh, Stanway, Kendall, James, Russo, Hemp.
Substitutes
: Moorhouse, Roebuck, Le Tissier, Blindkilde Brown, Carter, Hinds, Kelly, Parkinson, Mead, Park, Charles, Barry.
Spain: Coll, Batlle, Leon, Paredes, Olga, Guijarro, Caldentey, Putellas, Lopez, Pina, Gonzalez.
Substitutes: Benitez, Codina, Corrales, Fernandez, Imade, Mendez, Nanclares, Navarro, Paralluelo, Misa, Serrajordi, del Castillo.
06:54pm
Anthem time
Both sides emerge from the tunnel, England led out by new centurion and captain tonight Keira Walsh, and it is time for the national anthems. “Marcha Real” followed by “God Save The King”.
Before the anthems, Walsh received a special ‘100’ shirt from her boss Sarina Wiegman.
06:52pm Analysis • Video
No Earps/Hampton reunion
A few England players, including Lucy Bronze, Chloe Kelly, and Alessia Russo, broke off to hug Earps as they finished their warm-up. But Hannah Hampton , the woman who replaced Earps as first choice goalkeeper and prompted her sudden retirement on the eve of last summer’s Euros, went straight down the tunnel. Hampton could do without any distractions before the game. She has not been in her best form for Chelsea this season.
After all the criticism and controversy, it was nice to hear the crowd celebrate Earps’ achievements in an England shirt. There were no boos which some had feared.
06:48pm
England boss Sarina Wiegman speaking to ITV
06:43pm Opinion
Good reception
Warm applause for Mary Earps as she walks around the side of the pitch before her presentation. She responds by waving and blowing kisses back at the crowd. She looked a little bit nervous when she first came out, perhaps unsure what reception she would get given the fallout from her retirement and controversial autobiography. Earps is also embraced by England captain Leah Williamson.
06:39pm
Pre-match thoughts of England midfielder Georgia Stanway
06:34pm
Tributes to Earps
Mary Earps retired from international football in 2025 after earning 53 caps for her country. A key figure in the UEFA EURO 2022 triumph and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup run to the Final, she will be honoured with a presentation pitch side before kick-off.
“I think it first shows what she has done for the game, what she has done for England and that she is an inspiration for so many people, particularly for young goalkeepers who she has inspired,” said Sarina Wiegman. “She deserves a great farewell and I hope we celebrate her. It is going to be a nice moment for her and for English football. Some people have been disappointed, some people said it is really inspirational. I think everyone will have an opinion but let’s cherish the moment. Mary has had a great career and for us too. She was the world’s best. She played important games now she has moved on and let’s all celebrate her.”
Our very own Kathryn Batte sat down for an exclusive interview with Earps earlier this year .
06:27pm Analysis
No Williamson
A bold team selection from Sarina Wiegman. The headline news is that Leah Williamson has not been passed fit to play. Her absence means Lotte Wubben-Moy starts alongside Esme Morgan at centre back. It’s a slightly untried and untested centre back partnership, but both players have more than enough experience separately. Lucia Kendall gets the nod in the No 10 position over the in-form Jess Park. Wiegman has gone for Kendall’s strength over Park’s on-the-ball ability. Spain’s biggest strength is their midfield so it’s a decision that makes sense.
06:18pm
Teams in full
England: Hampton, Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Greenwood, Walsh, Stanway, Kendall, James, Russo, Hemp.
Substitutes
: Moorhouse, Roebuck, Le Tissier, Blindkilde Brown, Carter, Hinds, Kelly, Parkinson, Mead, Park, Charles, Barry.
Spain: Coll, Batlle, Leon, Paredes, Olga, Guijarro, Caldentey, Putellas, Lopez, Pina, Gonzalez.
Substitutes: Benitez, Codina, Corrales, Fernandez, Imade, Mendez, Nanclares, Navarro, Paralluelo, Misa, Serrajordi, del Castillo.
06:09pm
Special night for Walsh
Keira Walsh has been given the honour of captaining England on her 100th cap. Here is what she has had to say ahead of the milestone:
“It is a very exciting moment. When I started playing football, I never thought that this was going to be possible, so it is a really proud moment for me and my family. It is a massive game, my full focus has been on that for the week. I have not really thought too much about anything else but I am sure after the game, then I will probably have some moments to reflect.
“I do not really love the attention being on me. I do feel a little bit awkward about it. I just love playing football, so for me if it is one or 100 (caps), I still feel the same whenever I put the shirt on. I remember my first cap, there was not a lot of people in the crowd and tomorrow [tonight] there are going to be 75,000 people at Wembley playing against one of the best teams in the world. I think that shows the growth of the women’s game.”
06:02pm
Lucy Bronze speaking to ITV
05:55pm
League A Group 3 table through two games
-
England- 6 points
-
Spain- 6 points
-
Iceland- 0 points
-
Ukraine- 0 points
05:48pm Key moments
England team
05:47pm Key moments
Memories of last summer
It is a repeat of last year’s Women’s European Championships final at Wembley as England host Spain in Group 3 of World Cup qualifying. Nine months ago, these sides met in the final in Basel. Mariona Caldentey gave Spain a first-half lead before Alessia Russo equalised just before the hour mark. The final went all the way to penalties, with Chloe Kelly scoring the decisive spot-kick to seal back-to-back European titles for Sarina Wiegman’s side. That was revenge for England having lost to Spain in the World Cup final back in 2023.
England began their World Cup qualifying campaign in emphatic fashion last month, thrashing Ukraine 6-1 before beating Iceland 2-0 at home. After tonight, England will face Iceland on Saturday, which will be their 500 th match.
“Last month we started our campaign strongly with two good performances against Ukraine and Iceland, and we want to continue that momentum,” said Wiegman. “These upcoming matches against Spain and Iceland are important steps in our qualification journey, and we are fully focused on performing at our highest level. These are very competitive games. We are in the World Cup qualifiers, so there is more than this game. You want to qualify for the World Cup, but when you are allowed to play at Wembley again, and I think there are about 75,000 tickets sold, and you play Spain in that atmosphere at home with the fans behind us. It is just really exciting. We have played so many games over the last couple of years against each other so I do not think about that I just think about playing qualifiers.
“You know how big a game this is and we both go out there to play and win but you do not know because it is so competitive and that is how we approach it. What we are trying to do is get the best possible game plan and execute that in the best possible way tomorrow. Hopefully that brings us success and then we move on to the Iceland game which is a big game again too, with a short turnaround and travel.”
Defender Leah Williamson is a doubt for the home side tonight having missed Arsenal’s last five games with a hamstring injury. It will be a special night for Keira Walsh, who is set to win her 100 th cap for England tonight.
Like England, Spain have two wins from two in their first two qualifiers, beating Iceland 3-0 and Ukraine 3-1. Spain will though be without Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, who remains out with a broken leg.
There is just one automatic qualifying place available so the two meetings between these nations in this group are crucial. Team news to follow shortly.
