Wembley Stadium was once again the stage for a high-stakes showdown as England edged out Spain 1-0 in a pulsating Women’s World Cup qualifier on April 14, 2026. The Lionesses, still riding high from their dramatic Euro 2025 triumph over Spain, delivered a gutsy performance to secure their third straight victory in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. In front of a roaring crowd of around 70,000 fans, it was Lauren Hemp’s acrobatic finish inside the opening three minutes that proved decisive, with England’s defense and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton holding firm against a relentless Spanish assault.
These two sides have developed quite the rivalry in recent years. Spain defeated England to claim the 2023 World Cup in Sydney, only for the Lionesses to exact revenge the following summer, winning the Euro 2025 final on penalties in Basel. Tuesday night’s encounter marked their first meeting since that epic European final, and the stakes were sky-high: only one automatic qualifying spot is available in their four-team group, which also features Ukraine and Iceland. Both England and Spain entered the match level on six points from two games, setting up a must-watch contest for group supremacy.
The pre-match build-up was electric. England manager Sarina Wiegman named a starting XI featuring Hampton in goal; Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, and Greenwood across the back; Kendall, Walsh, and Stanway in midfield; and an attacking trio of Hemp, Russo, and James. Notably absent was captain Leah Williamson, sidelined by fitness concerns, so Keira Walsh stepped in to wear the armband on the night she celebrated her 100th England cap. Spain, meanwhile, were without Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati due to a broken leg, but still boasted a formidable lineup with Coll in goal, Batlle, Paredes, Mapi Leon, and Carmona in defense, and Putellas orchestrating the midfield.
The action started at a frenetic pace. England seized the initiative almost immediately, with Greenwood’s cross causing chaos in the Spanish box. Alessia Russo, showing her trademark poise, flicked the ball on while grounded, and Lauren Hemp pounced with an acrobatic turn and finish. The ball just about crossed the line—confirmed by goal-line technology—sending the Wembley faithful into an early frenzy. “I was pretty sure [the goal went in] to be honest. I did see it cross the line and I was just looking at the ref like 'hurry up and say that went in',” Hemp told ITV after the match. “At times it weren't pretty, but we got the job done.”
Spain, the reigning world champions, responded with their trademark possession play, probing England’s disciplined low block. The Lionesses, well aware of Spain’s technical prowess, focused on defensive organization and quick counter-attacks. England nearly doubled their lead in the first half when Hemp rattled the post after a slick one-two with Bronze, while Russo and James also threatened. But Spain were never out of it—Lopez and Carmona both came agonizingly close, with Carmona hitting the crossbar and Lopez striking the post in a frantic second half.
Hannah Hampton, who had been England’s shootout hero in Basel, was called into action late on. In stoppage time, Edna Imade’s powerful header seemed destined for the net, but Hampton produced a stunning reflex save to preserve the clean sheet. England’s defensive resolve was tested repeatedly, with Morgan and Wubben-Moy forming a solid partnership at the heart of the backline. “I think they did really well. This is the highest level we get and tactically Spain are very good. You need to communicate at all times and have skill at all times. I’m really happy with how they did it,” Wiegman said of her center-backs.
It was a night of milestones and celebration, too. Keira Walsh’s 100th cap was marked not only by her leadership but by a disciplined midfield display against Spain’s Alexia Putellas. “Obviously it's not something I ever thought would be possible. To do it 100 times, I never take it for granted,” Walsh reflected. The match also featured a guard of honour from 50 former Lionesses, recognizing the rich history of the women’s game in England. Mary Earps, the legendary goalkeeper, was honored with a retirement celebration, adding to the sense of occasion.
Spain’s frustration grew as the match wore on. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, they couldn’t find a way past Hampton and the resilient English defense. Paralluelo, introduced in the second half, injected pace and urgency, but England’s tactical discipline held firm. “We had to defend a lot. I thought we dominated in both boxes. Fantastic performance from Hannah, it helped us win,” Hemp said. Wiegman echoed that sentiment: “We got a good result. We had to defend a lot, we know Spain are so good on the ball. You have to defend well and be really compact.”
With the win, England now top Group A3 with nine points from three matches, ahead of Spain on six, Iceland on three, and Ukraine yet to register a point. The Lionesses’ perfect qualifying record remains intact, and their last defeat in a World Cup qualifier dates all the way back to 2002—a testament to their consistency on the big stage. Spain, whose last qualifying loss was to England in 2010, will look to regroup as the campaign continues.
Alessia Russo’s influence up front was another talking point. The Arsenal forward, currently the leading scorer in the Women’s Champions League, was a constant menace to Spain’s backline, both with and without the ball. The midfield battle between Putellas and Walsh, widely anticipated as a key matchup, didn’t disappoint, with both players showcasing their class in a tense tactical duel.
Looking ahead, England will travel to Iceland on April 18 for their next qualifier. The quick turnaround leaves little time for rest, as Wiegman noted: “It’s a great step forward. This is hard now, tonight we recover and tomorrow we get ready for Iceland because it’s a quick turnaround.” Meanwhile, Spain remain in contention but know there’s no margin for error with only one automatic spot up for grabs.
As the Lionesses soaked up the applause on their lap of honour, there was a palpable sense of pride and momentum building within the squad. Tuesday night’s victory wasn’t always pretty, but it was a statement of intent from a team determined to stay at the summit of European and world football. The journey to Brazil 2027 continues, and on this evidence, England’s blend of resilience, talent, and unity could take them a long way.