{"id":5171,"date":"2026-04-15T09:13:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T09:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/5171\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T09:13:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T09:13:20","slug":"win-over-spain-a-great-step-forward-for-englands-world-cup-hopes-says-wiegman-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/5171\/","title":{"rendered":"Win over Spain a ‘great step forward’ for England’s World Cup hopes, says Wiegman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sarina Wiegman believes England have taken a “great step forward” to World Cup qualification after defeating defending champions Spain 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.<\/p>\n

The Lionesses made it three wins from three in\u00a0League A Group 3 on Tuesday, with Lauren Hemp’s early goal at Wembley Stadium proving to be the difference for the hosts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Timed at two minutes and 34 seconds, Hemp netted England Women’s quickest ever goal at the new Wembley, though Wiegman’s side were made to work for their victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spain finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.84 from their 21 shots,\u00a0compared to England’s tally of 0.79 from their nine attempts. Hannah Hampton had to pull off a great save late on to preserve the hosts’ clean sheet.<\/p>\n

However, England\u00a0remain unbeaten and have not\u00a0conceded across their last 25 Women’s World Cup qualifying matches at home (W23\u00a0D2), since losing 1-0 to France in a play-off match in October 2002.<\/p>\n

They are back in action on Saturday against Iceland, who they beat 2-0 last month, and Wiegman switched her focus straight to that trip.<\/p>\n

“It’s a great step forward. This is hard now. [Now] we recover and then we get ready for Iceland because it’s a quick turnaround,” Wiegman told ITV.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It was an intense game. Be happy now, but then switch straightaway to Iceland.”<\/p>\n

Job done.<\/p>\n

Thanks for your amazing support at @WembleyStadium<\/a>!\u00a0pic.twitter.com\/CJITaddisz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lionesses (@Lionesses) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

England have\u00a0lost just one of their last 12 games played at Wembley (W8\u00a0D3), while they have now won four consecutive matches at the national venue for the first time.<\/p>\n

The Lionesses also ended Spain’s 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions, while also extending their own unbeaten stretch against their opponents to 10 games in matches played on home soil\u00a0(W7 D3).\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m really happy. We got a good result. We had to defend a lot, we know Spain are so good on the ball. You have to defend well and be really compact,” Wiegman added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We had our chances, they did\u00a0too. But sometimes you have to fight to get the win and that’s what we did. We hoped we’d be in a higher block more, but we got pushed back.<\/p>\n

“Sometimes we could have been better on the ball and created more momentum. As soon as we got in their half of the pitch, we made them uncomfortable.”<\/p>\n

There was also a special moment for Chelsea midfielder Kiera Walsh, who became the 15th women’s player to make 100 appearances for her country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In Leah Williamson’s absence, Walsh captained the side and won possession back more times (five) than any other player for England, and goalscorer Hemp lauded the midfielder’s display.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Keira is a fantastic player. I’ve known her since I was young and she was teaching me the ways,” Hemp said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s great to have someone like Keira in the team. I’m really proud of her reaching 100. She carries the team at points when we need her to. She’s the engine.”<\/p>\n