Bokarina, Australia, July 9th 2023: Lauren Hemp (11 England) during a 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup training session at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Australia. (James Whitehead / SPP)
Lauren Hemp opened the scoring for England against Spain at Wembley on Tuesday night as the two giants of European football faced off in a Women’s World Cup qualifier.
It took the Manchester City star only two minutes and 34 seconds to get on the scoresheet, volleying home after latching on to a flipped ball from a grounded Alessia Russo.
And it was the fastest goal the Lionesses have scored at the new Wembley – although they do not play all their home matches at the national stadium.
Spain had almost two-thirds of the possession, and 21 shots (three on target) compared to England’s nine (two on target).
But Hemp’s was the only goal of the game, which puts England on top of Group A3 – unbeaten on nine points, with Spain in second place. Only the team who top the group will progress automatically to next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Sarina Wiegman’s side next face Iceland, kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday in Reykjavik.
Sarina Wiegman: Sometimes you have to fight
“I’m really happy,” said the head coach to broadcasters ITV after the match, describing it as “a great step forward” for automatic qualification to the Women’s World Cup.
“We got a good result. Of course we had to defend a lot, we know that Spain are so good on the ball. You have to defend well and be really compact.
“We got our chances too, they got some too, but overall I’m really happy.
“Sometimes you just have to fight to get the win, and that’s what we did.”
