It’s fair to say the past few months have not been easy for Sarina Wiegman’s side, the context around two wins from five games since their Euros qualifying campaign a little lost, but a win over World Cup holders Spain to put them level on points with Portugal in their Nations League group lifts a pressure that perhaps shouldn’t be there.
Still, the indomitable James, who had looked quite out of sorts against Portugal, was England’s livewire, forcing a fingertip save from Coll at one end one minute and crowding out Paralluelo with Bright and Williamson the next.
In the 23rd minute England registered their first real chance and James was the instigator, getting the better of Ona Batlle deep into England’s half before releasing Niamh Charles on the left.
How would England fare when swapping a team ranked 22 for the World Cup holders and number two team on the planet?.
Wiegman made one change from the team that earned a 1-1 draw in Portugal, with Hannah Hampton, who is liked for her distribution, coming in for Mary Earps in goal as the battle for the number one shirt at the Euros hots up.
