To understand the significance of the England vs Spain match for the players, look no further than Leah Williamson's unwavering dedication. Despite not having played for almost a month, the Lionesses captain is putting in extra effort to prove her fitness and lead her team at Wembley on Tuesday. If the world champions weren't visiting, Williamson might not be considered for the starting lineup, given the numerous crucial games coming up for club and country over the next two months.
However, she has been working tirelessly with the medical team and participating in tactical preparations at St George's Park. The stakes are high, as only the top team in the four-nation group is guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, making this match a potential defining moment for who will head to Brazil. Williamson's determination is clear, and if she's not risked, the centre-back partnership could fall to two of England's most patient players.
Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan are vying for a spot alongside Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, and Maya Le Tissier, having both seen game time in recent qualifiers. Wubben-Moy has been the epitome of a squad player, with limited appearances since her first call-up nearly six years ago, mostly against teams England were expected to beat. The 27-year-old has faced doubts throughout her international career but has a unique perspective on the game, often analyzing her performances and physical fitness with her partner Tao Geoghan-Hart.
Wubben-Moy also keeps the demands of football in perspective through her community work, as seen when players from her foundation attended her training session last week. Morgan's path to becoming a starting centre-back has been different, having taken a significant career risk by moving to Washington Spirit from Manchester City. The move has paid off, with Morgan developing substantially and playing a crucial role in her club's back-to-back NWSL Championship games. If Morgan and Wubben-Moy line up together at Wembley, it would be a full-circle moment, given they were first called up to the national team in the same camp in 2020.
Having spent many hours on the bench together, England's most patient players may now become their most crucial as they face the world's number one ranked nation.