Spain 2-1 England: Lionesses' UNL hopes over for outclassed by world champions

England suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Spain to end their hopes of Nations League glory.

A late brace from Claudia Pina ensured the world champions got the better of Sarina Wiegman’s side in the Lionesses penultimate game ahead of their summer European Championship title defence.

Despite having already secured a top-two finish in the group – and with it, qualification for the top tier of Europe’s World Cup qualifiers – England were outclassed on the night by a dominant Spanish side in humid conditions at Espanyol’s stadium.

Although technically a Nations League match, much of the pre-game focus centred on what this fixture truly represented: a dress rehearsal between two of the favourites for this summer’s Euros. With Sarina Wiegman set to name her final squad on Thursday, it also marked a last audition for several players.

And there’s plenty of history between these two heavyweights, not least England’s haunting one-goal defeat to them in the 2023 World Cup final. More recently, the Lionesses claimed a measure of revenge with a 1-0 win at Wembley in February, thanks to Jess Park’s first-half strike.

But in front of a partisan crowd in Catalonia, Spain took control early and never truly let go. They fired 18 shots to England’s four, dominating possession and territory. Hannah Hampton made a wonderful reflex save to deny the hosts an early opener.

Against the run of play, the Lionesses stole the lead. Spain’s players and coaches were still calling for the referee to blow her whistle for a foul after Salma Paralluelo had been taken to ground by Niamh Charles when Keira Walsh threaded a pass through to Alessia Russo.

The striker, back leading the line after missing the Portugal game, charged towards the Spanish goal and fired past Cata Coll into the bottom right-hand corner – a fitting way to mark her 50th England appearance.

Replays showed the contact on Paralluelo was minimal, and there was no VAR to suggest otherwise as whistles reverberated around the stadium.

Charles found herself drawing further ire from the home support moments later when a ball into the box rebounded off her hand. Again, the referee wanted nothing to do with it, and play continued.

Sarina Wiegman brought on Aston Villa’s 24-year-old midfielder Missy Bo Kearns for her England debut at half-time, deeming 45 minutes enough for Georgia Stanway – who has steadily been regaining minutes over these past two games after six months away with injury.

The second half continued much as the first had done, with Spain dominating the ball and having the lion’s share of the chances.

After fifteen minutes, both Wiegman and Spain’s coach Montse Tome looked to their subs bench to make a change. On came Chloe Kelly and Jess Carter, while Pina replaced Salma Paralluelo for Spain.

And it was the 23-year-old Pina who turned the screw, driving in an effort from close range after mere seconds on the pitch to draw the scores level.

The Barcelona forward – who scored three against Hampton during the Catalan club’s 8-2 rout of Chelsea across the two Champions League semi-final legs – came back to haunt the shot-stopper once again, firing a second past her from over 20 yards out, sending the Spanish support wild.

England will now regroup with one final friendly to go against Jamaica before their Euros campaign begins.