England 1-0 Spain
By Damion Arnold 14/4/26
Above: Lauren Hemp celebrating her goal in the opening three minutes. Photo: via Lionesses
After scoring early on, England held defensively strong to keep Spain out and secure all three points in their race to World Cup qualification.
The two-time European Champions took the lead early through Hemp. In the third minute, Greenwood’s corner ball was not cleared well with the ball bouncing around the six-yard box. Hemp struck the ball on the volley and after some confusion as to whether the ball crossed the line, the goal line technology signaled it had.
Hemp had the chance to double the lead in the 19th minute, but her effort struck the post.
Ona Battle found herself with an unusual opportunity inside the England box. After receiving the ball and weaving between three England bodies, she takes a close-range shot. However, the full-back slices the shot and her effort flies over the bar.
Just before the break, the visitors registered their first shot on target. Patri Guijarro slipped behind the England defense and directed the crossed ball goalward. Hannah Hampton was there to stop the shot at her front post.
Five minutes into the second half, the visitors hit the bar. Olga Carmona stuck the crossbar inside the England penalty box.
On her senior debut, Lucia Kendall squandered a golden opportunity to score a goal just a minute after the Spain chance. Alessia Russo unselfishly slotted the ball across goal for Kendall, but the 21-year-old blazed the ball over.
Vicky Lopez missed a great chance to level the game in the 56th minute. She receives the ball inside the England box and strikes the ball well. Unfortunately, the effort struck the post and bounced out.
12 minutes later, Lopez found herself in another shooting opportunity. After cutting in from the right, she watched her effort get parried away by Hampton.
In the 70th minute, Claudia Pina’s corner found fellow Barcelona teammate Irene Parades at the back post. The centre-back could not direct the headed effort on target.
Hampton produced an excellent save in the 90th minute, denying Edna Imade’s close range-headed effort.
Lineups: England (4-3-3): Hampton (Chelsea), Bronze (Chelsea), Wubben-May (Arsenal), Morgan (Washington Spirit), Greenwood (Manchester City), Kendall (Aston Villa), Walsh (Chelsea), Stanway (Bayern Munchen), Hemp (Manchester City), Russo (Arsenal), James (Chelsea). SUBS: Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Roebuck (Aston Villa), Carter (Gotham FC), Le Tissier (Manchester United), Charles (Chelsea), Hinds (Arsenal), Parkinson (Valadares Gaia), Blindkilde (Arsenal), Kelly (Arsenal), Park (Manchester United), Barry (Bay FC)
Goal scorers: Hemp 3’.
Yellow cards: Bronze 85’ , Hampton 90+4’
Spain (4-3-3): Coll (Barcelona), Batlle (Barcelona), Parades (Barcelona), Leon (Barcelona), Carmona (Paris Saint Germain), Caldentey (Arsenal), Guijarro (Barcelona), Putellas (Barcelona), Lopez (Barcelona), Gonzalez (Gotham FC), Pina (Barcelona). SUBS: Nanclares (Athletic Club), Misa (Real Madrid), Navarro (Real Madrid), Fernandez (London City Lionesses), Codina (Arsenal), Corrales (London City Lionesses), Mendez (Real Madrid), Serrajordi (Barcelona), Benitez (Athletico Madrid), Athenea (Real Madrid), Imade (Bayern Munchen), Paralluelo (Barcelona).
Goal scorers: N/A
Yellow cards: Parades 59’.
Referee: Tess Olofsson
Attendance: TBC
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