That’s all from me! I’ll leave you with Suzanne Wrack’s match report from Wembley Stadium…
Wembley Stadium has released a statement regarding the power outage that occurred during the second half. It reads: “We can confirm that a technical issue caused the floodlight outage at the start of the second half in tonight’s UEFA Nations League fixture between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium. The matter was resolved quickly, and the game restarted within two minutes. We apologise for the temporary stop in play.”
Spain manager Montse Tomé says: “We expected England to play with their centre-backs trying to find Lucy Bronze in behind. Lauren James performed very well. They were winning possession back, so were we. I think Spain deserved more from the game. We started the game very well, played at a good tempo. We didn’t manage to score and we don’t get any points tonight.
“We had chances that we simply didn’t take, that’s an area we need to improve on and we will improve. England could have scored more. England scored their goal, we didn’t and we just need to keep improving for the next game.”
England manager Sarina Wiegman tells ITV Sport: “I think the whole game was very impressive, very high tempo, very intense. I found our performance very impressive. The work the team put in, the togetherness, that showed off today.”
She continued: “Of course it helps (team belief). Winning always helps. We also know where we want to go to, where we are, what we’re working on. When we win it’s not always that all things are good and when we don’t win it’s not always that everything is bad. We just want to improve every single day.
“A lot of improvements, the best thing was the togetherness and fight we put in the game was great. Next time when we go and play Belgium, it will be another game but we want to take it to the next level then.”
England goalscorer Jess Park tells ITV Sport: “I thought we were really good in and out of possession. We battled hard, battled to the last minute. The whole team got stuck in and we came out with the win which is so good.
“[It will give] loads of confidence, loads of belief, we’ll take it through to the next games we have.”
Finally, we have seen some shades of the European Championship-winning England team that has seemingly been missing for months. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t the perfect performance, but the Lionesses battled hard throughout and managed to see off the world’s best.
That will surely be huge for the team’s confidence as we continue the countdown to Euro 2025.
Full-time: England 1-0 Spain
A huge win for the Lionesses! The European champions prevail.
Updated
90+2 min: Redondo steals the ball from Williamson before making her way down the left at pace, but Bronze manages to track back and make the challenge. A huge tackle from the full-back.
90 min: Five minutes have been added on…
88 min: Kelly is booked for time wasting as she stands over a free kick.
87 min: Huge chance for England to put the game to bed! Clinton is played through on the right. The midfielder crosses the ball into the box, where James goes for the shot. Coll gets down to make to make the save as Kelly looks for the rebound and Spain can eventually clear the danger.
84 min: Montse Tomé makes a double change as Spain push for the equaliser. Alba Redondo is on to replace Paralluelo, while Aleixandri makes way for Maite Zubieta.
83 min: Sarina Wiegman makes another change as Jessica Naz replaces Toone. She goes out to the wing, with James moving inside.
82 min: James steps up to take the free kick, but it’s not her best effort and Paralluelo can head it clear.
81 min: England have a free kick in a very dangerous position following a foul from Ouahabi on Parris just outside the box…
79 min: Just over 10 minutes to play here at Wembley and Spain are throwing everything at the Lionesses…
77 min: Spain are awarded a free kick following a collision between Aleixandri and Parris in the centre circle. Both players appear to be okay.
74 min: Spain come close again as Caldentey’s effort rattles the side netting. The visitors are getting closer and closer to an equaliser…
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73 min: Huge chance for Spain! Ouahabi goes for goal from the edge of the box. Her effort swerves towards the top-left corner, but Hampton gets across to make a fantastic save!
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71 min: Spain have made another substitution. Athenea del Castillo is on to replace García.
70 min: James takes the free kick but Spain can make the clearance and the visitors break forward on the counter attack. Paralluelo makes her way into the box with the ball but she is eventually crowded out by Williamson and Bright.
69 min: Parris does well to force a foul from Ouahabi on the right to win England a free kick.
67 min: Méndez has just quite possibly made one of the best interceptions I think I’ve ever seen – a lovely little backheel volley directed straight to a team-mate. Perfection.
65 min: This is Parris’ first England appearance since November 2022. A well-deserved return to the squad.
64 min: England are next to make some changes. Russo makes way for Nikita Parris while Chloe Kelly replaces goalscorer Park.
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62 min: Spain have a corner. Pina steps up to take it but Park can make the clearance.
59 min: Bonmatí looks to play Paralluelo down the right, but the Spain forward is narrowly caught offside, much to the relief of the England defence.
57 min: Chance for England as James receives the ball on the edge of the box and forces a strong save from Coll. A big improvement from the Lionesses after that slow start to the second half.
56 min: Spain make the first change of the match as Carmona is replaced by Leila Ouahabi.
54 min: The lights are back on! I repeat, the lights are back on!
53 min: I have absolutely no clue why that has just happened. But Wembley quite literally just plunged into darkness. Fans are attempting to light up the stadium with their phones but to no avail.
52 min: The game has stopped. The lights at Wembley are out. No, I’m not joking.
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51 min: Chance for England as the ball is sent to Clinton in the box. The midfielder goes for goal but it’s a fairly tame shot and Coll can make the save easily.
49 min: Spain completely slice England open with a pass from Caldentey through to García. The striker goes for goal with a low-driven shot and forces a good save from Hampton. The Lionesses are yet to switch on in this second half.
47 min: Paralluelo and Caldentey combine on the edge of the box before the Arsenal star goes for goal with plenty of space in front of her. Luckily for England, her effort is off-target. A huge let-off for the Lionesses.
46 min: Spain head straight for goal as García receives the ball in the box. She looks to turn but Bright slides in to make a great tackle.
Kick-off: England 1-0 Spain
We’re back under way at Wembley!
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Jess Park may have scored the opening goal, but it was created by Alessia Russo. A brilliant spin from the striker granted her plenty of space to make the run into the box, completely opening things up for England to score.
A huge half of football awaits the Lionesses.
Half-time: England 1-0 Spain
The European champions lead the World champions at Wembley.
45+1 min: James takes the corner and Bright steps up to head it. The centre-back can’t quite reach the ball and it runs behind to the other side of the box.
45 min: One minute has been added on. England have a corner…
43 min: Another chance for Spain as the ball falls to Bonmatí in the middle of the box. The midfielder goes for goal and forces a great save from Hampton!
42 min: Spain are beginning to pile on the pressure once again, forcing England into some defensive errors as a result. The Lionesses do not want to concede now with half-time just a few minutes away.
40 min: Paralluelo attempts a fairly audacious shot from outside the box while being closed down by Charles, but it’s another easy save for Hampton.
38 min: Bonmatí goes for goal after picking up possession in a central area, but it’s a fairly easy save for Hampton.
36 min: Chance for Spain now as Batlle plays the ball into Paralluelo, who has switched over to the right. The forward moves inside before unleashing a shot, which flies inches past the post.
35 min: It was a difficult start for England, but the Lionesses have grown into this game at the perfect time.
34 min: Toone and Clinton link up on the left before the ball is played through to Russo, who spins Paredes before making her way into the box. The striker cuts inside and shoots, but Coll makes the save. Park is then in the right place at the right time to tap it in.
GOAL! England 1-0 Spain (Park, 33)
Park breaks the deadlock for England! Wembley erupts! A brilliant team goal!
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29 min: England have certainly stepped up in these last 10 minutes or so. James continues to be the star player for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
27 min: Williamson appeals for a penalty after being dragged down by Aleixandri – who then heads clear – in the box while a corner is taken. The referee dismisses it and we have no VAR so the game continues.
The England captain is NOT happy about that.
25 min: Another chance for England as Bright sends a brilliant diagonal pass over to James in attack. The winger cuts in from the right and goes for goal, but her effort is saved. This is much, much better from England.
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23 min: James takes the free kick and forces Coll into a fantastic save with a curling effort from the edge of the box!
22 min: James sends a perfectly-weighted through ball to Charles on the left. Paredes gets there and makes the challenge, but the referee awards a free kick. The Spanish defender is also booked.
However, replays show Paredes actually got the ball and, in fact, it was a brilliant tackle.
20 min: Charles loses possession over on the left and Bonmatí charges forward towards the edge of the box. She looks to check her run, but the ball eventually falls to the feet of Pina, who fires her shot over the bar.
18 min: Bonmatí attempts to draw a foul from Bronze as the ball runs out of play, but the referee is not having any of it. Bronze is quite clearly thrilled about that.
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16 min: England look to break forward as Russo sets a pass to James, who returns it with a through ball but Paredes sees it out for a Lionesses throw-in.
14 min: Russo gets one of her first touches of the ball, but she has to drop deep into midfield to get it, which, of course, is not ideal for a striker. England are really struggling right now.
12 min: Huge chance for Spain! A corner is sent into the box by Paredes. Aleixandri flicks it on and the ball falls straight to García who rattles the crossbar with her shot! A huge let-off for the Lionesses, who are still yet to register a strike.
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10 min: James plays a one-two with Toone before making her way to the edge of the box. She looks to cut inside, but Aleixandri is there to block.
8 min: Paralluelo is proving to be a real handful for Bronze already in this match. The forward links up with Carmona on the left before making her way into the box. She skips past two defenders, but England can eventually clear the danger.
6 min: Spain look to break forward as a pass is sent through to Batlle, who makes an overlapping run from defence. However, James does well to track back and make the challenge.
4 min: Paralluelo wins a corner for Spain. Paredes takes and sends a cross to Bonmatí on the edge of the box. The midfielder cushions a header down to Carmona, but Clinton is there to intercept.
2 min: Both teams have seen an equal amount of the ball so far. Clinton shrugs off pressure from Aleixandri before passing to Bronze on the right, but Paralluelo intercepts.
Kick-off
Ella Toone kicks off proceedings at Wembley. We’re underway!
The teams are out. The national anthems have been sung. Wembley is rocking. Kick-off is just a few moments away!
Olympic gold medallist and Sports Personality of the Year winner Keely Hodgkinson is at Wembley tonight!
During her pre-match press conference, Spain manager Montse Tomé said: “It will be a top level match, between the World champions and the European champions, it has to be a beautiful spectacle of women’s football. I expect a competitive match between two teams who want to win. It will be very, very competitive. We want to have the ball. The longer we have it, the better. We plan to play on the front foot, get into the box and score goals and that’s what we’ll be looking for tomorrow. England have a strong attacking game, a midfield that plays well, their right wing has a lot of attacking potential.... Sarina might be going to defend deep and attack on the break, they have already given us a clue…”
Sarina Wiegman praised Jenni Hermoso for her “remarkable courage” and reiterated her support for the Spanish women’s national team during her pre-match press conference on Tuesday. The England manager said: “It says how brave they are. It says first of all that they’re a very good team, but it also says that they show resilience and they’re so brave.
“And again, we’re talking about it again today. I think we have to keep talking about it. I would almost say unfortunately and we have to keep telling the world that we stand in solidarity and hopefully it’ll make change.”
Last week, Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony of the 2023 World Cup final, with the court ruling he pay a €10,000 (£8,290) fine. However, Rubiales and his three co-defendants were cleared of the charge of coercion, for having allegedly put pressure on Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual. Rubiales has said he, too, will be appealing.
Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Aitana Bonmatí now says she “has to believe” that change will happen and that the fight of Hermoso and Spain players has not been in vain.
During her pre-match press conference, England manager Sarina Wiegman said: “They’re very comfortable on the ball and they want to play a possession game. We are aware of that, so at moments, we will have to be patient and wait until we can press and win the ball but we also know that we can exploit space behind them and that’s what we are looking for. They’ve been struggling with that over the last couple of games. They’re a good side but we see opportunities too.”
Wiegman continued: “I think we have evolved but you can’t relate to the EUROs or the World Cup anymore because there have been so many new players coming in. The game has evolved too, it’s not just us trying to adapt, the opponents have changed with the Nations League coming in, different matches at a much higher level which is what we want. Of course, we are still developing, adapting and trying to improve every single game.”
Former England forward Toni Duggan will be given a special presentation at Wembley Stadium this evening to celebrate her retirement. Duggan will also be among six Lionesses to receive their legacy caps. She is set to be joined by Ellen White, Rachel Williams, Jo Potter, Fara Williams and Clare Wheatley.
The Lionesses kicked off their 2025 with an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Portugal last week. The result and performance left Sarina Wiegman, her players and England fans with a familiar feeling of frustration.
Just two years ago, England looked completely formidable on the pitch. Since the World Cup, however, they have appeared very beatable.
Team news
England starting line-up: Hannah Hampton; Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Leah Williamson (C), Niamh Charles; Grace Clinton, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone; Jess Park, Lauren James, Alessia Russo. Substitutes: Esme Morgan, Mary Earps, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner, Jess Carter, Chloe Kelly, Jessica Naz, Aggie Beever-Jones, Nikita Parris, Anna Moorhouse, Ruby Mace, Laura Blindkilde-Brown.
Spain starting line-up: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes (C), María Méndez, Olga Carmona; Laia Aleixandri, Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey; Clàudia Pina, Lucía García, Salma Paralluelo. Substitutes: Laia Codina, Athenea del Castillo, Sheila García, Vicky López, Cristina Martín-Prieto, Adriana Nanclares, Maite Oroz, Leila Ouahabi, Alba Redondo, Esther Sullastres, Maite Zubieta.
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Preamble
Fixtures don’t get much bigger than this when it comes to international football.
The reigning European champions face the reigning world champions at the home of English football this evening in what is set to be a blockbuster Nations League clash. For England, this is a chance to avenge their World Cup final defeat to Spain. The Lionesses suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to La Roja in Sydney 556 days ago. Now, with Euro 2025 just 126 days away, Sarina Wiegman’s side are in need of a huge confidence boost.
England go into this match off the back of a fairly disappointing 1-1 draw with Portugal. Meanwhile, Spain came from behind in dramatic fashion to defeat Belgium in a five-goal thriller on Friday to top Group A3.
This clash will give us a good idea of where exactly both teams are heading into this summer’s major tournament. The countdown is well and truly on.
Kick-off is at 8pm GMT – join me!
