Streetwise England use tried and tested playbook to find more success against Spain | Sophie Downey

As the seconds ran down, the tension was palpable around Wembley. Hearts were in mouths as Hannah Hampton made a world-class save from point-blank range to keep out Edna Imade’s header. Every sinew was stretched by Keira Walsh as she stuck out a head and then a boot to scramble away yet another delivery into the box, every single ounce of energy eked out to protect Lauren Hemp’s third-minute goal, a moment that felt like it belonged to another era of time.

Despite the apparent commotion on the field and the anxiety of the spectators in the stands, there was, however, very little panic evident on the faces of the 11 Lionesses on the field. Instead there was an aura of confidence about them, a true belief that they would get the job done. They cut an image of a team that had been there and done it all before and completed the task at hand on a far more stressful stage than the hallowed Wembley turf.

England and Spain are well acquainted with each other by this point. This was their fourth meeting since the Lionesses’ heartbreaking defeat at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. With every match that has passed, lessons have been learned and a playbook created to find success against a team that have so often steamrollered over anyone in their path.

Firstly, Sarina Wiegman’s side know that they cannot expect to play possession football against La Roja. England will dominate the majority of opposition that they come up against but they have now learned how to be a threat without it.

“I think everybody knows you can’t go toe-to-toe with Spain for possession,” the captain Walsh told ITV. “Our plan was to sit in a low block and when we had a chance go forward. They had chances at the end but they’re an unbelievable team.”

“Proper English” was the mantra that the Lionesses developed after their goalless draw against the same opposition on this same pitch little over a year ago. It is that fight and desire that has propelled Wiegman’s side to a new level.

Keira Walsh led England’s fight and desire to come out on top against Spain. Photograph: Ashley Western/Colorsport/Shutterstock

On this occasion, the Lionesses had to settle for only 36.7% of possession, but while the visitors created 21 opportunities they registered just three on target. This was as much down to England’s organisation off the ball as any wayward finishing from the Spanish.

England made 21 tackles, enjoying a 61.9% success rate, while their players at the back were clean with their defending. This discipline was exemplified by the new-look defensive pairing of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan, who marshalled the dangers thrown at them with precision.

Hemp was England’s best attacking player and sealed the three points with a fine finish early on. Setting up on the right as she had done in the final of the European Championships, she had the beating of Olga Carmona while her relationship with Lucy Bronze continues to flourish. Naturally left-footed, she was placed there to help nullify Spain’s aggressive defending and provide an extra option when cutting inside. With Bronze known for her attacking instincts, Hemp also provided extra cover, dropping deep to help defend the visitors’ wide play.

This was complemented by Lauren James on the left. This was the attacking setup that was meant to have been in play last summer but it had little opportunity to flourish with the Chelsea star hampered by an ankle injury. She showed the Wembley crowd what she was all about with her trickery and strong running but it was perhaps her defensive work that was most impressive, a reminder of the strides that she has made in this area.

It was, of course, not perfect from England. “We hoped we’d be in a higher block more but we got pushed back,” Wiegman told ITV. “Sometimes we could have been better on the ball and create more momentum. As soon as we got in their half of the pitch, we made them uncomfortable.” These games against this Spanish team rarely are. The sheer strength of the opposition means mistakes are almost impossible to avoid. It is just about ensuring that those errors do not come in the most dangerous areas of the pitch, something that England managed well.

There is no doubt that this was a statement from the Lionesses. It felt like a “must not lose” encounter before kick-off in terms of World Cup qualification. While they will travel to Mallorca for the return match in June, there is no doubt that they now hold the advantage, sitting top with three wins from three games and a healthy looking goal difference.