Spain thrash England 4-0 in Mallorca to seize Women's World Cup qualifying lead

Spain dismantled England 4-0 in Mallorca on Friday, handing Sarina Wiegman’s side their heaviest defeat of the Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign and surrendering top spot in Group A3 to the hosts. Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas (twice) and Claudia Pina were the scorers, leaving both nations level on 12 points from five matches with one game each remaining.

England had arrived in Mallorca with a perfect four-win record and a place at the top of the group, but Spain controlled the contest almost from the first whistle. Guijarro opened the scoring in the 19th minute, weaving in from the left flank and slotting a composed finish from around 25 yards into the bottom corner.

Putellas doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, firing home after Mariona Caldentey threaded a precise pass into her path, with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton unable to keep the shot out. The Spain captain then completed her brace ten minutes into the second half, reacting quickest after her initial effort was blocked on the goal line by Lucy Bronze and rebounded off the post. Pina added a fourth to complete a ruthless evening for the hosts.

Keira Walsh captained England in the absence of the injured Leah Williamson and had an early long-range effort that flew narrowly over, while Georgia Stanway also blazed wide after the break. Hampton produced a fine save to tip away a Guijarro header as Spain continued to press for more, but England offered little going forward to threaten a comeback.

The result means direct qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil will be decided on Tuesday. England must secure a result against Ukraine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Spain host Iceland in their final group fixture. A win for England, combined with a Spain slip, would restore Wiegman’s side to the automatic qualification spot; anything less could force them into the play-off route.