England took a huge step towards qualifying automatically for the Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley.

It was the first time the two sides met since July’s Euro 2025 final, in which the Lionesses won on penalties to defend their title, having lost to La Roja two years previously in the World Cup final.

A home game against the world’s top-ranked team was always going to be England’s biggest match, and they made the perfect start as Lauren Hemp scrambled home the opener inside three minutes.

It looked to have gone all the way over the line before Spain scooped it away, and goal line technology confirmed that it had – by one inch – as Hemp wheeled away in celebration.

The Manchester City winger could have scored a second soon after, but could only find the post. England continued to see the better of the first half chances – Keira Walsh and Alessia Russo going close – with Spain having just one shot on target as their attack looked uncharacteristically blunt.

This changed at the start of the first half when an end-to-end battle saw both teams waste big opportunities. Olga Carmona and Vicky Lopez both hit the woodwork – the former’s also needed confirmation via goal line technology as small margins decided the game.

Lucia Kendall, Lauren James and Russo all fired agonisingly wide at the other end as England continued to probe for a second.

Hannah Hampton was needed late on though as Edna Imade nodded her way from a corner, but the goalkeeper denied the Bayern Munich forward from point-blank range.

It is a huge result that sees England go three points clear at the top of Group A3 ahead of Spain. Only the team at the top of the group qualifies automatically for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, with the runner-up heading into a play-off.

The Lionesses play their second qualifier of the break in Iceland on Saturday, while Spain face Ukraine in Cordoba.

More to follow.