Hemp leads England past Spain to boost Women’s World Cup qualifying hopes

England gave their chances of ­automatic qualification for 2027’s Women’s World Cup a ­tremendous boost as they beat the world ­champions Spain at Wembley to continue their perfect record in qualifying so far.

In a closely-fought game which saw both teams miss some ­gilt-edged opportunities, the two sides were ­ultimately separated by two moments where the ball bounced extremely close to the line; one where it did cross the goalline and another where it did not.

Thankfully for England, Lauren’s Hemp’s early effort did, whereas for Spain, Olga Carmona’s deflected strike in the second half bounced down off the underside of the ­crossbar and away to safety. That, plus a great reflex save from Hannah Hampton to deny Edna Imade at the death, saw the Lionesses win 1-0. On such margins, this qualification group may well be decided.

Much like they did last summer in Basel, England tactically ­frustrated Spain, as they met again for the first time since July’s European ­Championship final, which England won on penalties. There was very ­little between the teams yet again, as their rivalry continues to grow, and in the second half especially, both teams provided good entertainment for the 62,306 attendees.

England grabbed a priceless early goal thanks to some poor ­Spanish defending from a third-minute corner. Alessia Russo showed good strength on the floor to somehow flick the ball inside for Hemp to volley at goal mid-swivel, and replays showed that Hemp’s effort rolled millimetres over the line before being hooked away by Alexia Putellas a fraction too late. Putellas pleaded with the ­Swedish referee, Tess ­Olofsson, claiming that the whole ball had not crossed the line, but Olofsson ­simply pointed to her watch – ­goalline ­technology was in operation for this game.

Lauren Hemp scored in the opening minutes to give England the lead. Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock

Having the lead enabled the ­European champions to sit back, try to contain Spain as much as possible and then hit them on the ­counterattack, and that worked. England looked very dangerous on the break and ­Lauren James teased Ona Batlle before turning past her and driving a shot over. By far England’s best move of the first half, a terrific counter down the right, ended with Hemp’s shot hitting the post, after she had run on to Lucy Bronze’s well-timed backheel. Keira Walsh, captaining England on the night of her 100th international cap, also had a low strike blocked from the edge of the box, before clipping over, and Russo went close from a tight angle.

Spain also created big chances, though, and a Clàudia Pina corner should have been headed goalwards but Irene Paredes nodded over the bar, before a Patricia Guijarro’s effort from outside the box was blocked. Later, after a neat move led to Batlle racing into the penalty area, she fired narrowly over Hampton’s crossbar. Guijarro also saw a near-post flick at goal saved by Hampton. Spain looked typically impressive when it came to technical ability in midfield but England worked tirelessly off the ball.

Spain were without the Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, who is still recovering after breaking her leg late in 2025, and the absence of the best player in the world was evident. Yet they were still dangerous and were on top early in the second half when Carmona’s deflected strike somehow stayed out.

The surprise pick in England’s starting side was Lucia Kendall but she held her own against a ­world-class midfield and had a great opportunity to score herself, but curled wide, shortly before Russo raced in behind the Spain defence to catch Bronze’s perfect ball over the ball, but she dragged her effort ­narrowly wide too. James also went close after spinning past Guijarro inside the box, but curled wide of the far post.

Spain’s Vicky López then hit the post as the visitors continued to threaten, before Imade was thwarted by Hampton’s instinctive reaction save, which prompted more than half of her teammates to rush over and thank her.

It was a first defeat for the Spain head coach, Sonia Bermúdez, in her seventh game in charge and Spain’s first loss since the Euros final. ­England, though, top the group and will now know that – if they play their cards right, away against Iceland and then at home to Ukraine in June – a draw in the reverse fixture in Mallorca will be enough to send them to Brazil as group winners and avoid the playoffs.