Hemp’s early goal seals Lionesses’ victory over Spain in World Cup Qualification

Lauren Hemp set the tone for the Lionesses as her early goal won the Lionesses all 3 points against the World Champions in front of a crowd of 62,000 at Wembley. England started the game with a fairly unfamiliar back line, as central defenders Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben-Moy of Washington Spirit and Arsenal respectively started a game for the first time together, with Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze either side of them. Higher up the pitch, Keira Walsh captained the side on her 100th appearance for the Lionesses, whilst newbie Lucia Kendall made her first competitive start for the Lionesses after impressing in a series of friendlies since her debut in November.

Spain put out a very strong line up, with a starting front three of Vicky Lopez, Esther Gonzalez and Claudia Pina providing a huge test for a set of defenders so unfamiliar with each other. Ballon d’or holder Aitana Bonmati remains absent from the squad with a leg injury but the midfield is one area of the pitch where Spain are stacked- Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijaro and Mariona Caldentey started the fixture in her absence.

England’s attacks were far and few, but on the rare occasion they found a golden opportunity to double their advantage

The Lionesses got the game off to a quick start, with Lauren James winning a corner just shy of three minutes in. England took advantage of this opportunity, as Alessia Russo provided an unusual and acrobatic assist, scooping the ball upwards despite lying on the floor in a crowded 6 yard box, into the path of Lauren Hemp. She instinctively finished past Cata Coll in the 3rd minute, despite Putellas’ best efforts to clear the ball off the line. Spain responded well, racking up high possession stats and starting wave after wave of attack. England’s attacks were far and few, but on the rare occasion they found a golden opportunity to double their advantage, a slick counter-attacking move saw Hemp hit the post.

For all of Spain’s dominance, they were yet to properly test Hannah Hampton in goal

In the second half, good chances fell for both sides- Russo played in Kendall, who should have done much better after blazing her strike over the bar, before England’s number nine shoot wide of the target herself under pressure from Mapi Leon. For the visitors, Olga Carmona’s effort deflected off Bronze and rattled the crossbar, and just 5 minutes later Lopez hit the post, providing a lucky escape for Wiegman’s side. Salma Paralluelo proved to be a threat off the bench, her pace providing trouble to even the experienced Lucy Bronze. For all of Spain’s dominance, they were yet to properly test Hannah Hampton in goal, until the 90th minute. A stellar reflex save in the dying minutes to deny substitute Edna Imade helped to secure England’s clean sheet, and proved why she is the world’s number one goalkeeper. The Lionesses were able to hold the World Champions to a 1-0 victory in a gruelling, hard fought 90 minutes.

This victory hands the Lionesses a major advantage in their bid for World Cup qualification

This victory hands the Lionesses a major advantage in their bid for World Cup qualification. Having followed this victory with another 1-0 win over Iceland, they now sit top of their
qualification group with 12 points, having won all of their qualifiying matches thus far. They will take on Spain at their home in the next international break, in what is sure to be another nail-biting fixture.