Spain 2-1 England: Lionesses let UEFA Women's Nations League semi-final place slip as Claudia Pina double seals La Roja comeback
Updated 03/06/2025 at 21:02 GMT+1
Defending UEFA Nations League champions Spain are through to the final four of the tournament again, beating England 2-1. The visitors needed a victory to jump above La Roja in Group A4, and made a promising start by taking the lead through Alessia Russo. But their campaign was ended by Claudia Pina, as Spain proved their superiority in a dominant second half.
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England squandered a 1-0 half-time lead against Spain on Tuesday evening, leading to a second-placed finish in their UEFA Women's Nations League group.
Claudia Pina was the hero on the night for the hosts, who are the defending champions of the secondary European trophy.
The Lionesses knew nothing less than a win would do on the final matchday of the league phase, and ultimately finish five points behind La Roja in the group table.
In this clash of the reigning world champions and continental champions, the former were the better team for the majority of the 90 minutes, as England were largely outclassed.
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton - now the undisputed No. 1, following Mary Earps' international retirement last week - was forced into a superb early save at point-blank range from Esther Gonzalez on the spin.
Gonzalez then should have capitalised on a rare error from Leah Williamson, but squandered the opportunity with a tame effort as Spain established territorial control.
It counted for nothing, though. Fresh off her 20-goal season across all competitions and a UEFA Women's Champions League triumph with Arsenal, Alessia Russo put England 1-0 up with a clinical finish.
Russo broke from the left flank in the 20th minute, breezed past the last defender and coolly slotted home.
It was much to the chagrin of the home players, who were up in arms over a perceived foul in the build-up from Niamh Charles. The referee was uninterested, as the atmosphere turned.
But after the break, Spain continued to pile on the pressure. It told just before the hour mark, as substitute Claudia Pina made an immediate impact.
Two touches in the box created a half-yard of space on the left as Pina shifted it onto her left foot, dispatching low across the face of goal to equalise.
Pina completed the turnaround 10 minutes later. England were sloppy in midfield and ruthlessly punished after losing possession.
The Barcelona forward this time moved onto her right foot just outside the area, with a wonderful strike leaving Hampton with no chance.
The 23-year-old continues a brilliant campaign in which she scored 22 times across all competitions for the Catalan giants, including 10 en route to the Champions League final.
England struggled to created any chances of note in response, as Sarina Wiegman's side completely ran out of steam.
It left Spain relatively comfortable in seeing out a 2-1 scoreline which flattered the visitors.
The draw for the knockout stage will take place later this week, with Spain joining Germany, France and Sweden in October's semi-finals.
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