England’s hopes of reaching the UEFA Women’s Nations League semi-finals came to a frustrating end as Spain overturned a half-time deficit to claim a 2-1 win in Barcelona, with substitute Claudia Pina delivering a masterclass in finishing at the RCDE Stadium.
The Lionesses started brightly and took a surprise lead in the 22nd minute through Alessia Russo. The Arsenal striker latched on to a clever through ball from Keira Walsh, calmly slotting past Cata Coll to silence the home crowd — momentarily. The Spanish fans were incensed, believing Salma Paralluelo had been fouled in the build-up, while further frustration followed when a handball shout against Niamh Charles was waved away.
Despite the early advantage, England were on the back foot for most of the match. Spain dominated possession and created several chances, with Esther González and Patri Guijarro both going close. Hannah Hampton, starting in goal after Mary Earps’ retirement, made a crucial save early on to deny González and was called into action frequently as Spain pressed.
Spain’s pressure finally told after the break. Claudia Pina came on in the 58th minute and made an immediate impact. Just two minutes after entering the pitch, she danced past defenders in the box and slotted low past Hampton, who left too much space at her far post. Ten minutes later, Pina struck again, curling in a stunning effort from the edge of the area — a goal worthy of winning any match.
Her ten-minute brace flipped the game on its head and showcased the attacking depth of the reigning world champions. Pina was deservedly named Player of the Match with an average rating of 7.98, well above her teammates. Aitana Bonmatí (6.45) and Ona Batlle (6.31) also stood out.
England coach Sarina Wiegman opted to rotate her squad, using the match as a test ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway made her first start of the year after returning from knee surgery, while Jess Park started ahead of Ella Toone. Lauren Hemp made her second successive start, still building fitness after a recent layoff.
Chelsea’s Niamh Charles struggled at left-back, frequently exposed by Spain’s wide play and unable to contain Paralluelo in the first half. Pina’s second-half arrival only compounded her troubles.
There were positives for England despite the result. Hampton, now the undisputed number one, showed composure under pressure. Missy Bo Kearns made her senior debut, replacing Stanway at half-time, and while it was a tough initiation, the experience will prove valuable.
However, England’s inability to hold the ball and build from the back proved costly. They were often sloppy in possession and failed to get out of their half for long stretches, especially in the second period. Spain’s superior technical quality and pressing game forced errors and allowed them to control the match tempo.
This result means Spain finish top of League A, Group 3 and move into the semi-finals, while England’s Nations League campaign ends with a mix of promise and frustration. They had impressed with a 6-0 win over Portugal just days earlier, but failed to maintain that level against elite opposition.
Wiegman’s squad now turns its attention to Euro 2025, with the final 23-player selection due Thursday. England have one final warm-up game against Jamaica at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on 29 June before heading to Switzerland.
While defeat will sting, Wiegman is likely to focus on the bigger picture — preparing her team to defend their European crown this summer. For Spain, the performance only reinforced their status as tournament favourites, with Pina’s brilliance a timely reminder of their attacking firepower.
