England beat Spain 1-0 in Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying group. football news

Hemp’s score gave the Euro champions a crucial win as Keira Walsh took the lead in the absence of Leah Williamson.

England are one step closer to qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 thanks to Lauren Hemp’s brilliant performance at Wembley Stadium in London.

Hemp’s goal early in the first half on Tuesday sealed England’s third consecutive win, taking them above Spain at the top of Group A3.

It was the first time that the teams faced each other since the Lionesses’ penalty shootout victory in the European Championship final last year.

Only the winners of each League A group will earn direct entry to next year’s tournament in Brazil.

It took only three minutes for England to go ahead as Alessia Russo fired the ball into the path of Hemp, who passed it to Cata Cole before Alexia Putellas cleared it off the line.

Spain were in danger of an equalizer when Irene Paredes nodded wide.

Hemp was inches away from doubling England’s lead in the 19th minute, hitting the post after Lucy Bronze’s backheel pass.

Hannah Hampton kept England’s lead at half-time with a volley from Patricia Guijarro at the near post.

England escaped early in the second half when Olga Carmona’s effort deflected off the crossbar.

Salma Parluelo made a good save from Hampton as Spain advanced.

And the inspired Hampton had the last word when she headed Edna Imade’s header wide of her post in the final minutes.

Keira Walsh, who wore the captain’s armband in place of the unavailable Leah Williamson, celebrated her 100th England cap and Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps was honored at an international retirement ceremony.

Norway, Germany registered big wins

In other matches, Ada Hegerberg scored twice as Norway thrashed Slovenia 5-0 in Group A4, while Germany remained unbeaten in the same pool with an impressive 5-1 win over neighbors Austria.

In Group A2 action, France handed the leaders’ spot to the Netherlands after losing 2-1 to the Dutch, with Renée van Asten and Esme Brugts scoring goals either side of Sandy Baltimore.

Goals from Emily Murphy, Katie McCabe and Marisa Sheva led Ireland to a 3-2 win over Poland in the same pool.

Denmark took control of Group A1 with a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the dying minutes as Janine Thomson scored the winning goal in injury time. Italy beat Serbia 6–0 to tie with Sweden for second place.