England has taken a significant step towards automatic qualification for the Women's World Cup after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Spain at Wembley. This match marked the first encounter between the two teams since the Euro 2025 final in July, where England emerged victorious on penalties.
The win was sealed early on as Lauren Hemp scored within three minutes, with goal-line technology confirming the ball had crossed the line by a mere inch. England continued to dominate the first half, with chances for Keira Walsh and Alessia Russo, while Spain's attack was uncharacteristically muted, managing only one shot on target. The second half saw a shift in momentum, with both teams creating opportunities in an end-to-end battle. Olga Carmona and Vicky Lopez hit the woodwork for Spain, with Carmona's effort also requiring goal-line technology confirmation.
At the other end, Lucia Kendall, Lauren James, and Russo all narrowly missed scoring a second goal for England. The match saw several key performances, including Hannah Hampton's crucial late save from Edna Imade. The result puts England three points clear at the top of Group A3, with only the group winner qualifying automatically for the World Cup in Brazil.
England manager Sarina Wiegman expressed happiness with the result, acknowledging the need for strong defense against a skilled Spanish team. The Lionesses are set to play their next qualifier in Iceland, while Spain will face Ukraine.
The victory also marked a milestone for Keira Walsh, who earned her 100th cap, with Wiegman praising her development and contribution to the team. England's ability to compete with top teams without some regular starters was also highlighted, with praise for the performances of Lotte Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan, and Lucia Kendall.