Spain delivered a devastating 4-0 victory over England in Mallorca, leaving the European champions on the brink of having to navigate World Cup qualifying playoffs. A defeat by a single goal would have kept England's hopes of topping Group A3 alive, but Spain's emphatic win, inspired by Alexia Putellas's brace, means they need only beat Iceland on Tuesday to secure top spot.
England started promisingly but were undone by a moment of magic from Patricia Guijarro in the 20th minute. She capitalised on a Lucy Bronze error, drove forward and saw her strike deflected past Hannah Hampton. Spain dominated possession, holding over 61% of the ball and racking up 39 touches in the opposition box to England's seven.
Putellas added the second in the 36th minute after a lapse in concentration from Alex Greenwood, who played the forward onside. Hampton got a hand to Putellas's fierce strike but could not keep it out. The same combination struck again for the third, with Putellas turning in after Bronze's goalline clearance.
Substitutes Aitana Bonmatí and Clàudia Pina combined for Spain's fourth, with Pina firing past Lotte Wubben-Moy. England, who had won the Euro 2025 final against Spain, looked a shadow of that side and now rely on Spain slipping up to avoid a playoff route to the World Cup.
