Youâll Never Believe This Top Hitter!
You Won't Believe What We Discovered About This Top Hitter!

England defeated Spain 1-0 at Wembley, enhancing their chances for automatic qualification for the 2027 Womenâs World Cup. Lauren Hemp scored the decisive goal, while Spain missed a critical opportunity, keeping England's perfect qualifying record intact.
England gave their chances of Âautomatic qualification for 2027âs Womenâs World Cup a Âtremendous boost as they beat the world Âchampions Spain at Wembley to continue their perfect record in qualifying so far.
In a closely-fought game which saw both teams miss some Âgilt-edged opportunities, the two sides were Âultimately 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, Laurenâs Hempâs early effort did, whereas for Spain, Olga Carmonaâs deflected strike in the second half bounced down off the underside of the Âcrossbar 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 Âfrustrated Spain, as they met again for the first time since Julyâs European ÂChampionship final, which England won on penalties. There was very Âlittle 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 ÂSpanish 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 Hempâs effort rolled millimetres over the line before being hooked away by Alexia Putellas a fraction too late. Putellas pleaded with the ÂSwedish referee, Tess ÂOlofsson, claiming that the whole ball had not crossed the line, but Olofsson Âsimply pointed to her watch â Âgoalline Âtechnology was in operation for this game.

Lauren Hemp scored in the opening minutes to give England the lead. Photograph: Javier GarcĂa/Shutterstock
Having the lead enabled the ÂEuropean champions to sit back, try to contain Spain as much as possible and then hit them on the Âcounterattack, and that worked. England looked very dangerous on the break and ÂLauren James teased Ona Batlle before turning past her and driving a shot over. By far Englandâs best move of the first half, a terrific counter down the right, ended with Hempâs shot hitting the post, after she had run on to Lucy Bronzeâs 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 ClĂ udia Pina corner should have been headed goalwards but Irene Paredes nodded over the bar, before a Patricia Guijarroâs effort from outside the box was blocked. Later, after a neat move led to Batlle racing into the penalty area, she fired narrowly over Hamptonâs 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 dâOr winner Aitana BonmatĂ, 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 Carmonaâs deflected strike somehow stayed out.
The surprise pick in Englandâs starting side was Lucia Kendall but she held her own against a Âworld-class midfield and had a great opportunity to score herself, but curled wide, shortly before Russo raced in behind the Spain defence to catch Bronzeâs perfect ball over the ball, but she dragged her effort Ânarrowly wide too. James also went close after spinning past Guijarro inside the box, but curled wide of the far post.
Spainâs Vicky LĂłpez then hit the post as the visitors continued to threaten, before Imade was thwarted by Hamptonâs 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 BermĂșdez, in her seventh game in charge and Spainâs first loss since the Euros final. ÂEngland, though, top the group and will now know that â if they play their cards right, away against Iceland and then at home to Ukraine in June â a draw in the reverse fixture in Mallorca will be enough to send them to Brazil as group winners and avoid the playoffs.
The final score was England 1, Spain 0.
Lauren Hemp scored the winning goal for England.
This victory significantly boosts England's chances for automatic qualification for the 2027 Womenâs World Cup.
Goalline technology was used to confirm that Lauren Hemp's goal crossed the line.
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