Spain had not been beaten in their previous 13 games, which made England’s 2-1 in in Guadalajara all the more impressive.
Mark Sampson’s team dominated precedings in a more open game than the tense 0-0 draw with France in Doncaster on Friday and outshot their hosts (12 to eight) but it took a deflection off Marta Torrejón Moya from Karen Carney’s cross for England to open the scoring, in the 15th minute. Three minutes later and the captain was on the scoresheet, Steph Houghton curling home a sweet free kick.
It did not take long for Torrejón Moya to make an impact at the other end, however. Two minutes, in fact, as she hit home from an excellent set-piece just before the 20 minute mark.
(Images: FA via Getty Images)
“It was a good win for us and up there with my favourite England performances in my time,” admitted a pleased England coach, after the game, at the end of what has proven a very useful 10 day camp for the Lionesses.
The players returned to their clubs today ahead of the final rounds of the FA WSL over the next two weekends, while the next important date for both England and Spain is the Euro Draw in Rotterdam on 8th November. England go in Pot One amongst the top seeds, while Spain are in Pot Two (and Scotland are in Pot Three). Portugal, who beat Romaina on away goals in the play-off, complete the qualifying line-up and will go into Pot Four. Exciting times!
