The Lionesses’ last eight meetings on home soil against Spain

Tomorrow night sees the England women’s senior team return to Wembley Stadium to take on Spain and the Lionesses maintain an impressive record against La Roja on home soil.

Unbeaten in all eight of their previous encounters with Spain on home turf, England have won five of those contests and drawn three.

Take a look back at each of those previous meetings ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s Nations League clash.

England 2-1 Spain – July 2022

The Lionesses advanced to the semi-final of EURO 2022, coming from behind in extra time to beat Spain in the quarter-final at Brighton and Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium in a 2-1 victory.

With around five minutes remaining and England trailing 1-0, substitute Ella Toone equalised for the tournament’s hosts as an additional 30 minutes beckoned. And Georgia Stanway flipped the script when she took aim from distance in the 96th minute – a strike which proved to be a worthy winner.

England 0-0 Spain – February 2022

England played out a goalless draw against Spain at Carrow Road, home of Norwich City, in the Lionesses’ second outing of the year in the very first edition of the Arnold Clark Cup, which Sarina Wiegman’s side would go on to win.

After drawing 1-1 with Canada in their 2022 opener, the game against Spain – who were touted as early favourites to be crowned European champions – also saw Norfolk-born Lauren Hemp make a cameo off the bench.

England 2-1 Spain – April 2019

Goals from Beth Mead and Ellen White sealed a 2-1 win for the Lionesses at Swindon Town’s County Ground as Phil Neville’s side geared up for the World Cup, set to be staged in France.

Mead opened the scoring in the first half before White doubled the advantage immediately after the restart in the second period. Aitana Bonmati pulled a goal back for Spain but the Lionesses held on for victory.

England 1-0 Spain – April 2010

Katie Chapman scored the only goal of the game as England overcame Spain at The Den in their bid to secure their place at the 2011 World Cup. The Chicago Red Stars midfielder struck in the 30th minute – a moment made even more special by Chapman’s Millwall connection.

It was an important outcome which brought Hope Powell’s team level in points with Spain in their group, making it four wins in as many qualifying games.

England 1-0 Spain – November 2007

A packed-out New Meadow – Shrewsbury Town’s new home which opened its doors earlier that same year – drew in a stadium record attendance of 8,753 as the Lionesses edged past Spain in a 1-0 triumph.

England midfielder Karen Carney’s second-half strike was the difference as Powell’s team signed off the calendar year with a win to top their group in the EURO 2009 qualifiers.

England 4-2 Spain – March 2001

A 21-year-old Sue Smith hat-trick made it four wins on the spin for the Lionesses who ran out 4-2 winners over Spain at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road in their first outing of 2021. England fell behind in the first half before Kelly Smith equalised for Powell’s team, who had one eye on the summer’s EUROs being hosted by Germany.

Tranmere Rovers skipper Smith turned it around with her eighth goal in 11 games, going on to add two more in the second half to complete her treble.

Happy birthday to former #Lionesses player, @suesmith8! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/gOT23HihlB

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 24, 2024

England 1-1 Spain – September 1996

Ted Copeland’s England followed up a 2-1 defeat to Spain in Córdoba with a 1-1 draw on home turf at Tranmere’s Prenton Park in the Lionesses’ two-legged EURO 1997 qualifying play-offs.

Hope Powell scored England’s only goal in the first match-up and Liverpool’s Maria Harper made the scoresheet in the second game as it finished 3-2 to Spain on aggregate as a teenage Kelly Smith made an appearance.

England 0-0 Spain – February 1994

Having already beaten Slovenia and Belgium and drawn with Spain in their first meeting in the first round of qualifying for EURO 1995, England – captained by Gillian Coultard – made it consecutive stalemates in their opening game of 1995 at Valley Parade, home of Bradford City.

And the Lionesses later secured their place at the tournament which was jointly hosted by England, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

Happy birthday to former #Lionesses player, Gillian Coultard MBE, who represented England 125 times during her career. 💪 🎉 pic.twitter.com/EJvfRDtFEI

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 22, 2023