Spain delivered a commanding performance to defeat EnglandTeam·England 4-0 in a crucial FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 qualifier on June 5, 2026, at the Estadio Mallorca SonPlayer·Son Moix. The emphatic victory, spearheaded by a brace from Alexia PutellasPlayer·Alexia Putellas, has significant implications for both nations' paths to the tournament in Brazil, leaving EnglandTeam·England facing the prospect of navigating the play-offs.
The match saw Spain assert their dominance early, with PatriPlayer·Patri Guijarro opening the scoring in the 19th minute with a powerful strike. Alexia PutellasPlayer·Alexia Putellas, the BarcelonaTeam·Barcelona midfielder, then doubled Spain's advantage in the 37th minute, showcasing her clinical finishing. She continued her impactful display into the second half, adding her second goal of the evening in the 55th minute. Clàudia Pina sealed the rout in the 78th minute, completing a comprehensive victory for the Spanish side.
This result has dramatically reshaped the landscape of UEFA League A Group 3. Both Spain and EnglandTeam·England now stand level on 12 points, but Spain's superior goal difference places them in a more favorable position. Only the top team in the group secures automatic qualification for the World Cup, meaning EnglandTeam·England's perfect qualifying record has been broken, and they must now contend with the possibility of entering the play-offs to secure their spot. EnglandTeam·England's final qualifier is scheduled against UkraineTeam·Ukraine.
Alexia PutellasPlayer·Alexia Putellas's performance underscored her exceptional form throughout the 2025/26 season. The 32-year-old midfielder, who recently announced her departure from BarcelonaTeam·Barcelona after 14 seasons, has been a pivotal figure for both club and country. She contributed 9 goals and 7 assists in 1,451 minutes in the Liga FCompetition·Liga F season and was named the best player in this season's Women's Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League, where BarcelonaTeam·Barcelona secured their fourth title with a 4-0 win over LyonTeam·Lyon. Her two goals against EnglandTeam·England further solidify her status as a national team record-holder for appearances.
The encounter also carried a layer of recent history. EnglandTeam·England had previously secured a notable 1-0 victory over Spain on April 14, 2026, with Lauren Hemp scoring the decisive goal. Furthermore, the two nations met in the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final, where EnglandTeam·England emerged victorious after a 3-1 penalty shootout, retaining their European Championship title. This latest result, however, marks a significant shift in their competitive dynamic, with Spain delivering a decisive blow in the race for World Cup qualification.
Alexia Putellas celebrates her second goal for Spain against England in a World Cup qualifier. Photo: Sports Press Photo/IMAGO
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