Spain 2-1 England: Lionesses' Nations League hopes over as Sarina Wiegman's side are outclassed by world champions ahead of Euros
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- A brace from Claudia Pina earned Spain a 2-1 victory over England on Tuesday
- The result comes ahead of England's Euros squad announcement this week
The billboards may have called it a Nations League fixture, but in reality, this was an opportunity for this summer’s two European Championship favourites to size each other up.
The reigning world champions against the European champions, and these two heavyweights have plenty of history – not least England’s haunting 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final.
With Sarina Wiegman set to name her final squad on Wednesday, it also marked a final audition for her players, as well as the chance to blood back in some of her returning-from-injury stalwarts.
One player who will not be heading to the Euros is Fran Kirby, who told the team after last night’s game that she would be retiring from international football having been told by Wiegman that she would not be making the cut.
And in front of a partisan crowd in Catalonia, Spain took control early and never truly let go. They fired 19 shots to England’s four, dominating possession and the lion’s share of the chances.
‘I think we played a very good first half. They started quick and fast while we tried to get in behind. In the second half they pressed higher, and I think we were struggling with keeping the ball.
‘We wanted to win this game, but we were also having a close look at the Euros and (we wanted) to manage a bit of the load.’
England stole an early lead through Alessia Russo against the run of play – the Arsenal striker taking her goal tally to 22 on her 50th appearance – before Spain took the driver’s seat.
Fifteen minutes into the second half with England under the cosh, both Wiegman and Spain’s coach Montse Tome looked to their bench to make a change.
And it was 23-year-old Spanish substitute Claudia Pina who turned the screw, driving in an effort from close range after mere seconds on the pitch. Ten minutes later, Pina struck again from 20 yards out to seal the victory for the hosts.
As for the Nations League, the result means that England have been knocked out of the competition – although they have qualified for the first league of Europe’s 2027 World Cup qualifiers by securing a top-two finish.
