England 1-0 Spain: Hemp goal keeps Lionesses top of World Cup qualifying on Walsh’s 100th cap | OneFootball

England battled to a third victory in as many games against a strong Spain side on Keira Walsh’s 100th cap at Wembley, retaining top spot of Group A3 in Women’s World Cup Qualifying.

Lauren Hemp’s strike just two minutes and 34 seconds in, the Lionesses’ fastest ever goal at Wembley, sent out a clear message to the holders, who had no way through in the first half despite not having lost a game since October.

Hannah Hampton produced an outstanding save to deny Edna Imade from a corner in the final minute of normal time, as Sarina Wiegman’s side extended their 100% record in qualifying to three matches ahead of their 500th competitive match against Iceland.

As it happened

Hemp got the Lionesses off to a flying start just three minutes in, volleying the ball towards goal after Alessia Russo’s ingenious flick through a crowd while on the floor, having contested for a corner in from the left.

The Arsenal winger’s strike had just enough on it that Alexia Putellas couldn’t deal with it, and in slow motion seemed to trickle into the net before she could clear it off of the line.

Lauren James had done well to earn the corner on a tricky run down the left wing, with an air of excitement every time it came the Chelsea player’s way, and had a sight of goal moments later by taking the same route only to lash the shot over wastefully.

Spain entered a good spell of possession but wouldn’t properly test Hannah Hampton, who almost gifted them an opening with a poor pass out from the back but the visitors couldn’t carve out a shot to cap off an eventful 10 minutes of football.

The hosts then threatened on the counter as Russo held it up well and released Hemp, who got the return pass from Lucy Bronze’s brilliant backheel only to see her shot from a tight angle well saved by Cata Coll.

Vicky López would have a chance to punish England for giving it away on the edge of their own box for a second time, but her shot was wide of goal, not long before a snapshot from the right of goal by Russo was beaten away by Coll at her near post.

The world champions came out fighting in the second half, playing more direct and with a higher tempo than the first, and an early ball into López caught England’s back line by surprise. Hampton was out of her penalty area decisively and cleared.

But they were into the penalty area moments later, and Carmona came closest to levelling for Spain when her right-footed effort rattled the crossbar via a deflection off of a sliding Bronze.

It was basketball as Russo fired low and just wide of goal after being played in behind by a smart ball around Ona Batlle by Hemp, minutes prior to López hitting the post after a deft cutback from the byline by London City Lionesses right back Jana Fernández.

James would come close once more to a goal approaching the hour mark, dancing into the penalty area and past Patri Guijarro and shooting not far wide of goal from the right.

The game would slow as it neared the closing stages, with Irene Paredes’ header sailing over from a corner and substitute Edna Imade’s looping wide Spain’s best chances throughout the closing stages as the Lionesses kept to their task.

Wembley watched on nervously as Spain closed out the second half on top, and called Hampton into a phenomenal save when Imade’s header seemed destined to level the game in the final minute of normal time.

England analysis: Lionesses prove metal again in testing conditions

As Sarina Wiegman’s European champions entered a new cycle on the international stage, it was imperative they prove themselves all over again. This time, as worthy of being considered strong contenders for the World Cup in 2027, but also by virtue of how often the Lionesses have encountered the side currently ranked best in the world by FIFA.

And prove themselves they did. Lauren Hemp’s record-breaking strike set the tone immediately and gave England the edge once Spain were dictating possession 40 yards from their goal, and managed to deal with the World Cup holders dialing up their tempo and adopting a more direct approach going forward in the second half.

There was quality on show at both ends of the pitch, as Alessia Russo’s hold up play was a constant thorne in Spain’s defensive line and the two Laurens, the goalscorer Hemp and ever-lively James, a constant threat out wide.

England may have benefitted from playing familiar opponents in Spain, now led by their former international Sonia Bermúdez, but still knew how dangerous they were in their intricate and calculated build up play.

Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood were particularly impressive, while Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton pulled off one of the best saves she has made in an England shirt so far with just a minute left to go before second half stoppage time.

England’s route to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil was made more challenging than Sydney’s tournament in 2023 by UEFA introducing a Nations League style of seeding system to qualifying meaning that Wiegman’s side has come up against top quality teams more often.

This has had benefits for numerous teams lower down FIFA’s ranking, with the Lionesses scoring 80 goals on their route to the previous competition – including a 20-0 thrashing of Latvia – and now more likely to battle it out with teams like Spain for the one spot guaranteeing a place, while the rest of group A3 must qualify via the playoffs.

Once again, the Lionesses proved themselves winners under difficult circumstances, in a match where many would have expected them to come out second best – and find themselves in a strong position before June’s reverse fixture in Mallorca.

England – Spain Live Score