Spain vs England live: Result and reaction as Pina double sinks Lionesses in Nations League decider
Spain 2-1 England: The Lionesses lost their final match before their Euro 2025 squad announcement
England missed out on the chance to reach the Nations League semi-finals having fallen to a 2-1 defeat to Spain in their final group stage match in Barcelona.
From the start the hosts took control of the match, maintaining possession and forcing the Lionesses to defend deep inside their own half. Spain lacked the clinical finish needed to send them ahead and it was England who struck first.
A potential foul on Salma Paralluelo was overlooked by the referee allowing Keira Walsh to slot Alessia Russo in behind the high line. She touched the ball into the area and guided the opening goal past goalkeeper Cata Coll.
Needing a ruthless finisher to overturn the deficit, Spain introduced Claudia Pina in the second half and the substitute delivered. She first squeezed past three defenders and rolled in an equaliser before beating Hannah Hampton from range to double her tally.
England couldn’t respond and were outplayed in the middle of the pitch. Defeat ends their chance of progressing in the Nations League and leaves Sarina Wiegman with questions to answer before the Euros this summer.
Relive the action from the RCDE Stadium with our live blog below:
Spain 0-1 England
24 mins: Spain, and especially their fans, are growing ever frustrated by the decisions from the officials.
There is no VAR tonight and, having been aggrieved by the perceived foul on Paralluelo, the Spaniards are denied a penalty after the ball strikes Niamh Charles on the arm inside the England box.
GOAL! Spain 0-1 England (Alessia Russo, 22')
England lead!
Niamh Charles and Salma Paralluelo collide on England’s left side and the Spaniard goes down.
The referee thinks that contact is minimal and lets play go on. The ball is slotted up the pitch and Alessia Russo makes the run in behind.
She collects the ball and drives into the box. Cata Coll comes out to close her down but Russo curls her shot underneath the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner!
Spain 0-0 England
19 mins: Alexia Putellas receives the ball on the inside left channel. She spins on the edge of the box and takes a snapshot which gets blocked by the nearest defender.
That may, may be a good sign for England. Deciding to shoot from range could be a sign of frustration from the hosts.
Spain 0-0 England
16 mins: Niamh Charles sticks with a back tracking Gonzalez before clipping the Spanish forward and knocking her to the ground.
These opening stages have predominantly seen Spain in possession.
England need some time on the ball.
Spain 0-0 England
13 mins: Brave from Hampton!
England are sitting quite deep to deny Spain space between the defence and the goalkeeper.
Carmona lifts a cross into the box and it comes through to Paralluelo. She pokes it to Bonmati who threads a pass through for Gonzalez.
The forward looks to grab control of the ball but Hampton comes off her line and smothers it.
Spain 0-0 England
10 mins: Spain tend to have more possession throughout their matches and England will have to suffer off the ball for long periods in this game.
Bonmati makes a run in behind the England defence as the ball is slipped over the top.
The offside flag goes up but the midfielder was onside according to television replays. Leah Williamson was caught hanging back again.
It hasn’t been the best of starts for the Lionesses captain.
Spain 0-0 England
7 mins: Oh!
Leah Williamson is left with a one-on-one after a long ball comes up to Esther Gonzalez. The England captain is usually composed on the ball but underhits a pass and gifts a chance to the forward.
Gonzalez spies that Hampton is off her line and tries to chip the goalkeeper but forces her effort wide of the target.
Spain 0-0 England
6 mins: England’s first real foray up the pitch sees them work the ball over to Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead on the right wing.
They look to weave past Olga Carmona but lose possession near the edge of the box.
Spain 0-0 England
4 mins: Save!
Hannah Hampton keeps Spain at bay. Salma Paralluelo swings the set piece into the penalty area where it drops to Esther Gonzalez.
The forwards shoots on the turn and drills her effort at goal but Hampton sticks out a right hand and keeps the shot out.
The ball drops to Georgia Stanway who wastes no time in booting it back down the pitch.
Spain 0-0 England
3 mins: A poor clearance from Leah Williamson gives the ball back to Spain on the edge of the box.
It’s played across to Aitana Bonmati who checks to the left and looks to shoot before a heavy touch takes the ball away from her.
Spain pile pressure on Lucy Bronze now in possession and win themselves a corner.
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