England fell short of reaching the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, following a 2-1 defeat to Spain, which saw substitute Clàudia Pina bag a brace off the bench for the World Cup holders.
The defeat means that the Lionesses will only have Euro 2025 in Switzerland as a chance of winning silverware in 2025, as Spain top the group and head to the semi-finals, five points clear of Group 3.
It was Barcelona winger Clàudia Pina who stole the show at the RCDE Stadium in the Catalan City, with the 23-year-old proving her point to the La Roja boss Montse Tomé.
Despite Spain controlling large portions of the opening 20 minutes, with captain Irene Paredes being denied a golden opportunity by Hannah Hampton, it was England who took the first punt at the RCDE Stadium.
It was the returning Alessia Russo who opened the score just 22 minutes gone when the Arsenal striker was left one-on-one with Cata Coll before she calmly slotted the ball home to make it one-nil on the night of her 50th cap for the Lionesses.
The goal did raise controversy from the Spanish bench, however, as they felt that there was a foul on Salma Paralluleo by Niamh Charles in the build-up to the goal. With no VAR in the Nations League, referee Katalin Kulcsár decided to let the goal stand.
Charles was then quite literally at the hand of more uproar from the Spaniards, this time it was potential handball in the 18-yard box when Alexia Putellas’ in-swinging cross struck the hand of the Chelsea and Lioness full-back, but no penalty was given to the frustration of the home supporters in Barcelona.
Half time: Spain 0-1 England
Ahead of the second half, it was a debut for the Lionesses under-23’s captain, Missy Bo Kearns, with the Aston Villa midfielder coming on for Georgia Stanway to play the second 45.
Ten minutes later, Sarina Wiegman made a double substitution, with former Barcelona full-back Lucy Bronze coming off for Gotham FC’s Jess Carter, and Beth Mead coming off for Arsenal teammate Chloe Kelly, who scored in just five minutes after entering the pitch in the 6-0 win at home to Portugal last Friday.
Montse Tomé then made a sub of her own, with Salma Paralluleo being replaced by fellow Barcelona winger Clàudia Pina, who went on to make an instant impact.
Pina found the ball on the edge of the area, before dribbling past Carter and Kearns to smash the ball into the net and make it one-all with 30 minutes left to play, just sixty seconds after she entered the field of play.
Lioness shot-stopper Hannah Hampton went down with an injury. Still, the Chelsea keeper was ok to play on, with the move being seen as all tactical after an earlier discussion with captain Leah Williamson.
It was almost a nightmare at the back for Alex Greenwood when the City defender’s heavy touch left the ball on a plate for Spain forward Esther González, whose shot went wide, but thankfully for England, the offside flag was up anyway.
Pina then proved her worth to manager Montse Tomé yet again and made it two-one to the hosts when the Catalan winger blasted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner, smashing the post and falling into the back of the net to put Spain in front after being behind before she came on.
Ella Toone came on for Jess Park in her Lioness return after the attacker missed the last Nations League game due to a calf injury she picked up in the World Sevens tournament with Manchester United.
Aggie Beever-Jones was Wiegman’s fifth and final sub of the night, with the Chelsea striker replacing Alessia Russo, as she came on after a memorable first-England start last Friday, where she bagged a first-half hat-trick.
There were an additional six minutes of added time, with England searching for a late equaliser, but it was just not meant to be for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who exited the UEFA Nations League.
Full time: Spain 2-1 England
Spain: 13. Coll (GK), 2. Batlle, 4. Paredes (C), 14. Aleixandri, 7. Carmona ( 3. Fernández), 6. Bonmatí, 12. Guijarro, 11. Putellas, 8. Caldentey, 9. González ( 17. García), 18. Paralluelo (20. Pina) (Formation 4-3-3)
Unused subs: 1. Sullastres (GK), 23. Nanclares (GK), 5. Zubeita, 10. del Castillo, 15. Martín-Prieto, 16. García, 19. López, 21. Redondo, 22. Méndez
Goals: Pina 60’, Pina 70’
Bookings: Aleixandri 29’
Manager: Montse Tomé
England: 1. Hampton (GK), 2. Bronze (12. Carter), 5. Williamson (C), 6. Greenwood, 3. Charles, 8. Stanway (16. Kearns) 4. Walsh, 10. Park (20. Toone), 7. Mead ( 17. Kelly) 9. Russo ( 18. Beever-Jones), 11. Hemp (Formation 4-3-3)
Unused subs: 13. Keating (GK), 21. Moorhouse (GK), 14. Le Tisser 15. Morgan, 19. Parris, 22. Wubben-Moy, 23. Agyemang
Goals: Russo 22’
Bookings: Kearns 83’, Walsh 90+3
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár
Venue: RCDE Stadium (Barcelona)
