Spain thrashes England 4-0 behind Alexia Putellas brace, one win from 2027 World Cup
A double from Alexia Putellas and goals by Patri Guijarro and Clàudia Pina powered Spain to a 4-0 victory over European champion England in Palma, putting the World Cup holders on the brink of direct qualification for Brazil 2027.
Spain delivered a commanding performance at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, overwhelming England 4-0 in a decisive Group A3 qualifier. The win avenged two straight defeats to the Lionesses, including the Euro final and a 1-0 loss at Wembley earlier in the campaign, and moved Spain to the top of the group.
Early dominance and the opener
Spain needed a multi-goal margin to seize the group lead and the sole automatic World Cup berth. Sonia Bermúdez's side pressed high from the start, with Edna Imade heading an early Alexia Putellas cross into the body of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Mallorca native Patri Guijarro recovered the ball from Mariona Caldentey, dribbled past Georgia Stanway, and fired a right-footed shot from distance that deflected off a defender and beat Hampton.
La mallorquina condujo a placer en una jugada individual que empezó pegada a banda. Regateó y se deshizo de hasta 2 jugadoras británicas para encarar, aunque a lo lejos, la portería de Hampton.
Putellas doubles the lead
Spain continued to control possession and tempo, with England offering little threat beyond a wayward Lauren James cross. The second goal arrived in the 36th minute after a flowing move: Imade laid the ball off to Caldentey, who threaded a pass into the path of Putellas. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner drove into the left side of the area and unleashed a fierce shot that Hampton could only palm into the roof of the net.
Golpe en la mesa de España a falta de ocho para el descanso. Pase filtrado de Mariona Caldentey para Alexia, que bate a Hampton.
Second-half control and late goals
England's best response came shortly after the restart when Stanway fired just wide of Cata Coll's right post. But Spain remained in charge. Clàudia Pina, introduced from the bench, added the third goal in the 55th minute following a trademark gallop down the flank by Ona Batlle. Putellas completed her brace later in the half, sealing the 4-0 scoreline and capping what multiple outlets described as Spain's finest performance under Bermúdez.
One step from Brazil
With the victory, Spain leapfrogs England at the top of Group A3. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Spain now travels to Reykjavík to face Iceland on Tuesday; a win guarantees automatic qualification. England, relegated to the playoff path, hosts Ukraine in its final group match.
Solo necesita una victoria ante Islandia el próximo martes para certificar su plaza.
The 17,528 fans at Son Moix witnessed Spain's first home fixture in Mallorca since November 2017, a return that coincided with a statement result against the reigning European champion.
