England lost out 2-1 to Spain at Real Murcia CF in the European Women’s U-23 Friendly Competition Finals.
Spain were ahead with a freak early goal, Lucia Corrales crossed the ball from down the side of the penalty area and a deflection off Teyah Goldie saw the ball loop over goalkeeper Kayla Rendell and into the net.
Ornella Vignola escaped an offside flag to advance into the box, turn inside her marker and beat the keeper on her near post.
Rendell twice stopped the hosts increasing their lead before the break, pushing away an effort by Ainhoa Marín and getting a boot to Corrales’s shot in a one-on-one situation.
Mia Enderby fired wide from distance, with England’s one effort at goal of the first half.
England were much more of a threat going forward in the second half but Enderby was unable to connect with Katie Robinson’s cross right in front of goal
Spain’s Maite Valero somehow headed over from close range, before England halved the deficit with five minutes of the 90 left, Georgia Mullett’s cross headed home by Izzy Goodwin.
In stoppage-time, the ball fell for Emma Morris 20 yards out but her shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
Emma Coates’ side now face Belgium at 12pm BST this Sunday, again at Murcia Stadium, in their last game of the season.
