By Laura Howard
England breathed fresh life into their upcoming defence of their Euros title with a 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley.
Jess Park’s first-half goal proved the decider between the sides that met in the World Cup final in 2023, with the Lionesses demonstrating that they are still more than able to compete with the world’s best despite some less than positive mood music in recent times.
A draw against Portugal to open the new Nations League campaign was the latest stodgy performance that has become slightly familiar in recent times from Sarina Wiegman’s side, but victory at home over the world champions was nothing of the sort as the Lionesses showed why they will still be an outfit to be reckoned with in Switzerland next summer.
Here are five things we learned from the 1-0 win at Wembley.
No.1 spot still up for grabs
Sarina Wiegman has regularly relied on some trusted faces for most of her tenure as England boss, but goalkeeper Mary Earps’ spot is far from secure heading into this summer’s Euros.
Earps started against Portugal, but it was Hannah Hampton’s turn between the sticks against Spain and the Chelsea stopper more than took her chance.
While she provided a brief cameo of her skills in the outfield in the eighth minute, producing a neat turn to evade Lucia Garcia, Wiegman admitted her display with the gloves has given her a tough decision to make.
She made her presence count in the 43rd minute when Aitana Bonmati fired a first-time shot on target from centre of the box with Hampton reacting well to palm away.
It was another crucial intervention from the Chelsea No.1 that saved England’s lead again just after the break, making herself big to deny Garcia with an outstretched foot before denying Leila Ouahabi from range late on.
“They are both world class goalkeepers, that’s what we see all the time,” said Wiegman. “They give me headaches.”
James can provide magic moments
For the opening 20 minutes, England looked a team uninspired and out of ideas.
It has been characteristic of Wiegman’s side that chances of note can often be hard to come by and it appeared today would be no different until an injection of pace from Lauren James seemed to ignite England’s spark.
Turning to create space inside her own half, James surged forward from deep in the 22nd minute to thread through club teammate Niamh Charles on the left of the box.
The defender converted her possession into a free-kick on the edge of the box to kickstart a spell of England dominance that culminated in their opener.
It spoke of a team crying out for a burst of creativity and, at this moment, James seems the only candidate to provide such impetus when the rest of the team reverts to lethargy.
It was James once more who found space on the edge of the box with minutes to go to fire Grace Clinton’s cut back goalwards, and send Cata Coll scrambling to recover the ball off the goal line.
The Chelsea forward is undoubtedly England’s most gifted player, and converting that into performances on the internationals stage is easier said than done but Wiegman was particularly pleased with her forward’s all-round game against Spain.
“The biggest step she takes is that in defence she works so hard and is doing so well,” she said. “That’s a massive improvement and I am proud that she is doing that.”
Russo must lead the line
If there are still a few selection decisions for Sarina Wiegman to make ahead of the summer, her starting striker is not one of them. It will be Alessia Russo.
The Arsenal striker is far and away the standout No.9 in the Lionesses squad, combining diligently leading the line with impressive touches and link-up play.
It was Russo’s skill on the ball and impetus to get forward that created England’s opener and was a sign of the striker’s new found edge.
Receiving the ball to the left of the box Russo rolled Irene Paredes before driving into the box and getting her shot away. The rebound fell to Jess Park to sweep home.
She pounced to turn home against Portugal, and it was her forward drive that helped England find the net once more.
It is a sign of a new ruthlessness that Russo has added to her game this season and, while showing at Arsenal, has brought that same instinct to her games in the white of the Lionesses.
Title defence reawakened
As is the flippant nature of England fans, after their 1-1 draw away in Portugal doubts had already been cast on their ability to defend the title they had won in three years ago.
But a win against world champions Spain will surely silence any doubters of the capability of this England squad.
Without Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp in their attacking ranks, it was an astute performance from a side that had been tactically outsmarted in the second-half in Lisbon.
While not dazzling, Wiegman’s plan to attack Spain more directly to bypass their press paid off, while England were rarely given much to be concerned about at the back with their opponents forced to take shots from range.
It is by no means confirmation of a side destined to retain their title, but it is a positive step on their road to Switzerland that will go a long way to restore confidence.
Park provides alternative option out wide
Jess Park got England’s only goal against Spain, but it was her overall performance that was perhaps more intriguing ahead of the summer.
Park was deployed on the right wing from the start, despite usually playing in a central role, and adapted well to her new role.
With Chloe Kelly lacking minutes and both Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp absent, Park showed that Wiegman has another viable option out wide should she require it.
Fleet of foot and technically excellent, Park does not have the pace of other options but was able to cut inside and pose a threat as well as do the dirty defensive work.
“Jess was in a position she hasn’t played a lot lately but that will give a boost to her,” said Wiegman. “She had to grow into the game and the pace of the game but she did really well.”
