England and Spain resume their rivalry as the pair battle for a place in the Nations League finals.
A meeting of European and world champions will settle top spot in Group A3, with the Lionesses needing to beat their hosts in Barcelona to usurp them. Sarina Wiegman’s side kept their hope alive with an uber-impressive performance in a 6-0 win against Portugal, though Spain also looked in fine form in their penultimate group game as Belgium were blown away.
For those involved, this marks a final audition before squads are confirmed for Euro 2025. Wiegman will confirm her travelling party for England’s defence of their crown on Thursday and admitted this week that she was already “pretty close” to knowing her selection. Can anyone force a late rethink with a standout performance in Barcelona to help England keep their Nations League trophy hopes alive?
Follow all of the latest from the RCDE Stadium with our live blog below:
HT Spain 0-1 England
Half-time! Spain 0-1 England
45+1 mins: Not a perfect half but a strong one for England who have found a way to get themselves in front in this crucial clash.
Spain have been the more aggressive times but have lacked a ruthless touch in the final third.
So far so good for England.
Spain 0-1 England
42 mins: England have grown into the game.
They have a clear plan. Defend deep with plenty of bodies, get forward, hold up the ball and maintain control of possession.
Their plan has been made easier by Alessia Russo’s goal as the urgency to score has dropped.
Spain 0-1 England
39 mins: An early cross from Lucy Bronze is fizzed across the box but doesn’t drop to a Lioness.
Instead there’s a shaky clearance from the hosts before a wayward pass sends the ball out for a goal kick.
Spain 0-1 England
36 mins: Spain haven’t panicked since the goal and are playing in much the same way.
If anything there’s a bit more innovation inside the final third but at present they haven’t been able to create a properly good chance.
There’s been a few shots taken from range which have gone wide.
Spain 0-1 England
33 mins: Nearly!
Parauello drives down the right side and cuts inside as she runs into trouble.
She manages to poke a pass through to Gonzalez who touches it to the left then whips a shot at goal from the edge of the box.
Hannah Hampton looks beaten as she leaps towards the ball but it sails just a few inches over the crossbar!
Spain 0-1 England
30 mins: Close!
England win a free kick over on the right side of the pitch. Beth Mead curls a nice cross into the box and picks out Leah Williamson.
Her run is a good one but she can’t get the desired power on her headed and nudges it into the hands of Cata Coll.
Spain 0-1 England
27 mins: As things stand England will jump ahead of Spain in the table and progress to the Nations League semi-finals.
A pass through to Charles, who is bombing down the left wing, gets the Lionesses up the pitch again. She lofts a cross into the hoping to find Russo but Spain defend it well and clear their lines.
Spain 0-1 England
24 mins: Spain, and especially their fans, are growing ever frustrated by the decisions from the officials.
There is no VAR tonight and, having been aggrieved by the perceived foul on Paralluelo, the Spaniards are denied a penalty after the ball strikes Niamh Charles on the arm inside the England box.
GOAL! Spain 0-1 England (Alessia Russo, 22′)
England lead!
Niamh Charles and Salma Paralluelo collide on England’s left side and the Spaniard goes down.
The referee thinks that contact is minimal and lets play go on. The ball is slotted up the pitch and Alessia Russo makes the run in behind.
She collects the ball and drives into the box. Cata Coll comes out to close her down but Russo curls her shot underneath the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner!