England Women’s U-23s remained unbeaten in 2023 after a 1-1 draw with Spain, played at St. George’s Park due to a waterlogged pitch at Burton Albion.
The Young Lionesses were pegged back late on, after taking the lead and then having two goals disallowed.
England took the lead in emphatic fashion around the half-hour mark, when Katie Robinson split the Spanish defence with a ball down the right and Ella Morris latched onto the pass, before slotting it beyond the goalkeeper into the far left corner.
Robinson thought she had doubled the lead nine minutes later when she had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside.
Spain started to get on top at the start of the second half and Emily Ramsey needed to get down low to make an incredible save from Aida Esteve Quintero’s shot from inside the box, which was heading for the bottom corner.
Aggie Beever-Jones had the ball in the back of the net just after the hour mark but again it was ruled out for offside.
Beever-Jones also headed Robinson’s delivery just wide and England were on top as Jess Naz set up Missy Bo Kearns, whose effort from the edge of the box was saved moments later.
But with just five minutes of normal time remaining, Spain equalised when Paula Arana Montes headed across goal and into the bottom corner.
Deep into injury-time Lucia Kendall had a swerving effort saved, while Spain fired over the bar following an impressive run.
