England edged past Spain with a hard-fought 1-0 victory to strengthen their grip on top spot in their World Cup qualifying group.
The result against the world champions leaves them in control of the race for the only automatic qualifying place at next year’s showpiece in Brazil, with three fixtures remaining – including the return meeting in Spain on June 3.
Lauren Hemp’s third-minute goal – the fastest England have ever scored here at Wembley – proved the difference in a gritty, attritional contest in the capital.
The assist from Alessia Russo was as impressive as Hemp’s acrobatic finish. The striker had been knocked to the ground in the scramble from a corner, yet somehow managed to get her boot beneath the ball and flick it on, allowing Hemp to turn it over the line.
Spain were without the injured Aitana Bonmatí, the world’s best player, and it showed. It seemed as though they had left their shooting boots on the continent; despite registering more attempts (21), they managed just three on target.
The same could be said of England, who were also denied by the woodwork when Hemp struck the post early on. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Lucia Kendall – otherwise assured throughout – squandered a gilt-edged chance to double the lead midway through the second half.
Fortunately for England, Hannah Hampton was back in her Euros form, producing a crucial late save to keep the tie in the Lionesses’ favour.
As one door edged open, another was finally closed, with Mary Earps given her long-awaited send-off before kick-off.
It had taken just under a year – for tempers to cool, for hindsight to settle, and for another European trophy to be placed on the mantelpiece – before the matter was finally resolved.
As for the reception, Earps could hardly have asked for more, particularly given the circumstances in which she left. Had there not been another trophy in the cabinet, or had Hampton suffered an untimely injury last summer, the response might have been harsher.
It is hard to say, but there is no denying that those within the corridors of English football will be quietly breathing a sigh of relief that this long and difficult chapter has finally drawn to an amicable close.
Mary Earps – with a shirt celebrating her 53 caps – was greeted warmly by the Wembley crowd
Earps was reminded following the release of her autobiography that her success was always intrinsically entwined with that of the Lionesses. There is no ‘I’ bigger than the team – at least not in Sarina Wiegman’s trophy-laden world – and some believe time has helped her understand why the backlash was as severe as it was.
Looking sharp in a brown suit, she was greeted by Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Keira Walsh after they had finished their warm-ups.
Wembley proved a fitting stage to bid farewell to one of England’s greatest and most distinctive personalities – a player who played a pivotal role in ushering in a golden era for the women’s game in this country, which arguably began beneath this hallowed arch on July 21, 2022, when Chloe Kelly wheeled away with her shirt aloft.
Wiegman can now turn her attention to plotting new ways of bringing further success to the country, and capturing the one prize that she – and the nation – craves above all else.
This was a perfectly adequate way to start with victory over the world champions on the start of that long road to Brazil 2027.
