WE MEET AGAIN. Inevitably, it’s England v Spain.
In their last three meetings, the Lionesses have triumphed twice and Spain once. They meet again at Wembley this Tuesday night, with both teams looking rather different from this Nations League fixture a year ago in February – and in the Euros final in Switzerland last July.
So who will be the difference-makers and who is on form right now?
Just over a year ago, England defeated Spain by a solitary goal at Wembley, made by a brilliant Alessia Russo move, with her trademark turn leaving Irene Paredes in the dust and setting up Jess Park for a tap-in on 33 minutes. I was lucky enough to be there and will see the rematch this week, and it will definitely be a very different game.
Just looking at both line-ups back then it already feels a lifetime away. The Lionesses were without injured stalwarts and nailed-on starters Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp. Spain were missing (wait for it) the injured Alexia and Patri, plus Esther.
Proper English
Millie Bright was playing what turned out to be one of her last games for England, rock solid at the back alongside Leah Williamson and declaring it a “proper English” victory, a phrase that took off a few months later. Chloe Kelly was an impact substitute, Niamh Charles was at left-back and City’s on-form Jess Park and United’s Grace Clinton stepped up.
Spain, mind you, did have Ona Batlle, Bonmati, Olga Carmona, Mariona, Claudia Pina and Salma Parallelo, plus Lucia Garcia and Laia Aleixandri, with the likes of Leila Ouahabi, Athenea and Alba Redondo coming off the bench.
Lest we forget, before the Euros final, Spain hosted England in June 2025, in the Nations League decider. And it was a game of two halves, Russo putting England 1-0 in the first half, with substitute Pina winning it for Spain in the second with two goals ten minutes apart. Conveniently, most Lionesses fans have deleted this match from their memory bank.
Big One
Obviously, the England Spain match that will live longest in the memory for England supporters is the Euro 2025 final. Jess Carter had the game of her life, Greenwood, Stanway and Hemp were back and brilliant down the left and the centre. Lucy Bronze and Williamson played on with their injuries, Lauren James had to go off before half-time with hers. All hail the new Lionesses super-sub, Chloe Kelly, who after Mariona had put Spain ahead in the first half, crossed for Alessia Russo to head home and equalise.
Then, as we all recall, it went to extra time and the drama of a penalty shoot-out, with Hannah Hampton and Kelly the match-winning heroes. Just as in 2022, England won the Euros off the bench. The rest is history.
This Time
Biggest change for both teams is at the top. Sarina Wiegman no longer has her right-hand man, Arjan Veurink, now in charge of the Netherlands, and crucially, Spain have fired their indecisive head coach Montse Tome and replaced her with Sonia Bermudez.
Team wise, Ella Toone is still out injured for club and country. Similarly, Grace Clinton, now at City. Jess Park, however, is now at United and on red-hot form. Michelle Agyemang will be out for ages with an ACL injury. Leah Williamson is a doubt, having been out of regular action for Arsenal for much of the season.
For Spain the main loss is obviously Aitana Bonmati, still coming back to fitness after a long time out. On scary form at Barcelona, however, are Claudia Pina and Vicky Lopez. And Spain welcome back Mapi Leon, who hadn’t played for her country from 2022-25.
New Faces
New faces for England could be Keira Barry, now of Bay FC, and exciting 17-year-old prospect Erica Meg Parkinson of Valdares Gaia, who has impressed for the Young Lionesses. Taylor Hinds seems to have the edge over the returning Niamh Charles at left back, and fellow Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy could well be involved if Williamson isn’t fit enough for some or all of the full 90 minutes.
Could Lauren James be the game-changer, the unpredictable, mercurial talent who has flipped the switch for Chelsea several times this season? Could Russo once again exploit the space behind Paredes? Will Kelly be a super-sub once more? Will Wiegman’s tactical nous outwit Bermudez in-game? There’s only one way to find out.
Head prediction: 1-1. Heart prediction: 2-0 England.
14th April 2026 19.00 at Wembley Stadium. Or watch live on ITV.
Photos: Helen M Jerome
