England and Spain will face off at Wembley on Tuesday night, marking their first meeting since the Euro 2025 final. Spain arrives with a new head coach and an unbeaten record since the Euros, while England looks to continue their qualification campaign.
Eight-and-a-half months after they locked horns in the final of Euro 2025, England and Spain meet again on Tuesday night in front of more than 70,000 spectators at Wembley, continuing their qualification campaigns for another tournament in which they met in the final last time out; the Womenâs World Cup.
âThey have some other players but their DNA stays the same,â said England head coach, Sarina Wiegman, on the eve of Tuesdayâs qualifier. âThey really want to have the ball. They play very dynamically and they really want to go forward, whether thatâs in-possession or out-of-possession.
âI donât think thatâs going to change because thatâs totally in their system and in their DNA. So yes, there might be some little tweaks, but in principle it will be very similar. And thatâs what weâve seen also with the new coach coming.â
The Barcelona winger Vicky LĂłpez, another young talent, was a late substitute for Spain during last summerâs final and has subsequently become a regular starter under BermĂșdez, who also has a choice to make in regards to her central striker, with Esther GonzĂĄlez available again after returning from maternity leave and Real Sociedadâs Edna Imade impressing with goals in Spainâs recent wins over Iceland and Ukraine. BermĂșdez could also opt for Barcelonaâs Salma Paralluelo.
Chloe Kelly scores winning penalty against Spain
Chloe Kelly scores the decisive penalty against Spainâs Cata Coll to win the shootout and the Euro 2025 final for England. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters
As young stars break into the team, established figures are notable with that absence, no one more so than Ballon dâOr winner Aitana Bonmati, who remains sidelined after suffering a broken leg towards the end of last year. Spain will also be without the former Manchester City centre-back Laia Aleixandri on Tuesday after she underwent surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February.
For England, who top thequalifying group on goal difference above Spain, Leah Williamson is an injury doubt. The England captain has been out of action since March with a hamstring injury but trained with her international teammates at St Georgeâs Park on Monday. ââWe have been really careful with her, and sheâs careful, her club have been careful,â Wiegman said. âWe made a plan [for her return]. Sheâs good in this plan and I donât want to give anything more away. But she is moving forward well.â
England will definitely have to make at least one change from the starting XI that beat Spain in Switzerland, with midfielder Ella Toone sidelined through injury. Jess Park will likely start in her Manchester United teammateâs place as part of an England attack that should also include the in-form Alessia Russo, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp.
Meanwhile Keira Walsh is in line to win her 100th cap. Praising the Chelsea midfielder, Wiegman said: âShe has enormous vision and game understanding. When I came in, I thought âOh, [sheâs] even better than I thoughtâ. She is an important player in leading the team in how we want to play.â
Q&A
What is the significance of the England vs Spain match on Tuesday?
The match is significant as it is the first encounter between England and Spain since the Euro 2025 final, and both teams are continuing their qualification campaigns for another tournament.
Who is the new head coach of the Spain women's football team?
The new head coach of the Spain women's football team is Sonia BermĂșdez, who has led the team to a Nations League title since taking over.
How has Spain performed since the Euro 2025 final?
Since the Euro 2025 final, Spain has remained unbeaten, achieving five wins and one draw in six matches under their new coach.
Which young player is highlighted as a key player for Spain in the upcoming match?
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