By Gethin Thurlow (26/07/25).
Above: Leah Williamson clears the ball as England hold on to a 1-0 victory over Spain the Nations League Photo: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Here we are. 1 year and 11 months later and we have a 2023 World Cup final rematch on our hands. It’s the all-conquering Spanish, led by the greatest midfield in women’s football history versus England, having been transformed by Sarina Wiegman and finding themselves in a third consecutive major tournament final, despite inconsistent performance throughout the last 3 years. In their current iterations, these two teams are pretty familiar and evenly matched with each other, with the score never being settled by more than one goal.
For England, facing Spain is more of a puzzle than anyone else. Usually, even against other top sides England can guarantee that they will have the bulk of possession. However facing the maestro midfield three of Aitana, Alexia and Patri is a different task to anything else in the world.
It doesn’t help that Spain’s ‘wingers’ Claudia Pina and Mariona Caldentey play more like wide-midfielders, rather than traditional wingers, having the same technical skills which allow them to control the ball so easily and move quite freely around as a five.
Esther Gonzalez taking up more of a traditional striker role has added another dimension to the attack, offering an occasional option to score via a cross or long ball into her rather than the Spaniards usual electric penalty box tika-taka.
Having to adjust and plan around not having possession, is difficult for England; but I would argue that this type of game suits England quite well. It is no secret that England struggle when facing teams with an effective low block and a physical/fast attack, and if low ranking teams ever take points off England this is generally how they do it.
This is due a few reasons. Mainly that England’s defence can be exposed when holding such a high line, allowing faster attackers to get into the space behind – particularly the full backs – who are encouraged to join England’s attacks as secondary wingers. Also, their insistence on sticking to a slow, controlled build-up which moves through the field in phases, can allow defences to stay compact and cut off any creative passing lanes in the final third.
Of course this is not the only way the Lionesses attack, they are world class players who adapt to situations and so often come up with their own magic. Direct attacks are something that England have the ability to employ when required. The Netherlands game is a prime example of this, with the first and fourth goals coming from long passes – by Hannah Hampton and Jess Carter respectively. Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson are also brilliant passers of the ball and therefore having possession is not a necessity for England to attack and score goals.
This direct method is also a better for Alessia Russo, who is not quite a traditional striker. Her real strengths are her work-rate and hold up ability. Launch a ball out in front of her and she’ll do everything possible to try and retrieve. She is also wonderful at connecting the play with her teammates – almost with the vision of a defensive midfielder like Keira Walsh. This can be seen in her four assists so far at the Euro’s, being able to find other players around her in the box, something that not many strikers are known for.
At the same time, she is not a classical goal-getting striker, which can lead to issues when playing a more possession-based buildup style. She rarely occupies the space in front of goal like strikers such as Bunny Shaw or Sam Kerr would, ready to convert any half-chance following a nice passing move. This is something which Ellen White did so well for this team over the years, but with a different type of player in Russo, that England have to adapt to.
For Spain, facing this England team is a challenge too. Their defence itself mirrors England’s quite a lot, being vulnerable to counter attacks and balls over the top. However, they are not a team to compromise on tactics. The pure talent in the squad dictates that they should ‘play football properly’ with beautiful interchanges, moving through the opposition as if they are not there.
So, while England may actually be hoping for a more transitional game, I think Spain will still seek to impose themselves onto England. They have the ability in the team to blow away anyone if they play well enough on any given day; and that is a great luxury to have.
One result of Spain having what is essentially five midfielders within the front 6 is an exceptionally-above-average ability to win the ball back from high pressing. Add into the mix some dodgy passing between Hampton, Williamson, Greenwood and Carter this tournament and that is a real chance for Spain to nab a goal right there and then, as Sweden did in the quarter final. Chelsea fans will need no reminder what Aitana Bonmati can do when blitzing through your defence.
Another interesting factor in this one, is the psychology of opposing teams when they see Michelle Agyemang ready to come on. While her incredible ability to come up with clutch moments is one thing, I’m wondering about the opponent’s thoughts when she comes on and how this could actually impact the game. Does her influence become a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby the fact she comes on scares the opponent, causing them to be tense and more likely to make mistakes – which actively leads to an Agyemang goal?
It is impossible to imagine Spain being 2-0 up after 75 minutes, seeing Agyemang come on the pitch and not think about what she has done in the last two games. For Spain the way to counter this is to be so far ahead even Agyemang’s nation-savouring cannot deny them.
While ultimately I feel the tactical battle favours England, I still wouldn’t call them favourites. Spain have shown time and time again that they have the quality to overcome anything – low blocks, high presses, all-out attack, whatever you throw at them. Neither team has had an easy ride to the final, and as so often been proven – what happens during a final just a reflection of how well each team turns out on the day. Whatever the tactics and whatever the outcome, it is sure to be a great final, to end what has been a brilliant Euros.
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