A resolute England gave their chances of ­automatic qualification for 2027’s World Cup a ­tremendous boost as they beat the world champions, Spain, at Wembley and demonstrated they are strong enough defensively to hold off the most technically gifted squad in the women’s game.

In a closely fought match in which both teams missed some ­gilt-edged opportunities, the sides were ­ultimately separated by two moments where the ball bounced extremely close to the line; one where it did cross the goalline and another where it did not.

Thankfully for England, Lauren Hemp’s early effort did, whereas for Spain, Olga Carmona’s deflected strike in the second half bounced down off the underside of the ­crossbar and away to safety. That, plus a great reflex save from Hannah Hampton to deny Edna Imade at the death, gave the Lionesses a 1-0 win. On such margins, this qualification group may well be decided.

Much like they did last summer in Basel, England tactically ­frustrated Spain, as they met again for the first time since July’s European ­Championship final. There was very ­little between the teams yet again, as their rivalry continues to grow, and in the second half especially, both teams provided good entertainment for the 62,306 crowd.

“As a team, we really fought,” said a very satisfied Sarina Wiegman, after England’s 499th women’s international fixture. “This [game] demanded something different from us than we have recently shown, and we did it very well.”

Wiegman, whose side have three wins from three in qualifying at the halfway stage in the campaign, added: “The gameplan worked in both halves, although we would have liked to have the ball for a little bit longer in moments – when it’s so hard, you just have to fight and stick together and communicate really well.

“ Against Spain, you need to defend as a team really well, because their individual qualities are so high. We tried to annoy them a little bit and let them make mistakes.”

Spain’s biggest error came at a third-minute corner, when England grabbed a priceless early goal thanks to some poor ­defending that allowed Alessia Russo to show good strength on the floor to somehow flick the ball inside for Hemp to volley at goal mid-swivel. Goalline technology confirmed that Hemp’s effort rolled millimetres over the line before being hooked away by Alexia Putellas a fraction too late.

Having the lead enabled the ­European champions to sit back and hit Spain on the ­counterattack, and that worked. England looked very dangerous on the break and ­Lauren James teased Ona Batlle before turning past her and driving a shot over. A terrific counter down England’s right ended with Hemp’s shot hitting the post after Lucy Bronze’s well-timed backheel. Keira Walsh, captaining England on the night of her 100th international cap, also had a low strike blocked from the edge of the box.

Spain also created big chances, though, and a Clàudia Pina corner should have been headed goalwards but Irene Paredes nodded over the bar, before Patricia Guijarro’s effort from outside the box was blocked. Later, after a neat move led to Batlle racing into the penalty area, she fired narrowly over Hampton’s crossbar. Guijarro also saw a near-post flick at goal saved by Hampton. Spain looked typically impressive when it came to technical ability in midfield but England worked tirelessly off the ball.

Spain were without the Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, who is still recovering after breaking her leg late in 2025, and the absence of the best player in the world was evident. Yet they were still dangerous and were on top early in the second half when Carmona’s deflected strike somehow stayed out.

The surprise pick in England’s starting side was Lucia Kendall but she held her own against a ­world-class midfield and had a great opportunity to score herself, but curled wide. Shortly afterwards Russo raced in behind the Spain defence to catch Bronze’s perfect ball over the top, but dragged wide. Spain’s Vicky López then hit the post as the visitors continued to threaten, before Imade was thwarted by Hampton’s instinctive reaction stop, which was praised by Wiegman as being a “crucial save”.

It was a first defeat for the Spain head coach, Sonia Bermúdez, in her seventh game in charge and Spain’s first loss since the Euros final. ­England, though, top the group and will now know that – if they maintain their winning form away against ­Iceland and then at home to Ukraine in June – a draw in the reverse fixture in ­Mallorca will be enough to send them to Brazil as group winners and avoid the playoffs.