To understand the significance of the England vs Spain match for the players, look no further than Leah Williamson's relentless efforts to regain fitness. Despite being sidelined for nearly a month, the Lionesses captain is pushing herself to the limit to lead her team at Wembley. If the stakes weren't so high, with a World Cup berth on the line, Williamson might not be in contention to start.
However, she has been working tirelessly with the medical team and participating in tactical preparations, driven by her determination to face the world champions. The Arsenal centre-back's dedication is a testament to the importance of this match, which could decide who qualifies for the World Cup in Brazil.
Williamson's potential absence could pave the way for Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan to form a centre-back partnership, with both players having gained valuable experience in recent qualifiers. Wubben-Moy, the ultimate squad player, has been analyzing her performances and physical fitness with her partner Tao Geoghan-Hart, while also maintaining a sense of perspective through community work. Morgan, on the other hand, took a risk by moving to Washington Spirit, but it has paid off, with her development being instrumental in the club's back-to-back NWSL Championship appearances.
If Wubben-Moy and Morgan start together, it would be a full-circle moment for the pair, who were first called up to the national team in the same camp in 2020.