It Had to Be Done — And It Was (4–0)

If any team could do it, it was Spain — and Spain delivered. Two goals were needed; four were scored. Head-to-head advantage, superior goal difference, and top spot in the group now belong to the national team after a magical night in Palma.

Sonia Bermúdez's side sought to control both possession and proceedings from the outset. Lucía Corrales was a constant threat, driving forward with purpose and linking up with Alexia Putellas, albeit without immediate reward. Just two minutes later, Putellas delivered a perfectly weighted cross for Edna Imade, whose header was denied by England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Spain's intensity and attacking intent were eventually rewarded in the 18th minute through a moment of brilliance from hometown player Patri Guijarro. Winning back possession herself, the Mallorca-born midfielder surged forward, beat her marker and calmly finished to give Spain the lead at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Having also scored during Spain's first visit to the island nine years ago, Guijarro once again delivered on home soil.

The hosts continued to dictate the tempo. Vicky López almost brought the crowd to its feet in the 35th minute after a dazzling individual run featuring two sharp changes of direction, but the final touch narrowly escaped her. The second goal arrived just two minutes later. Mariona Caldentey threaded an excellent pass into Alexia Putellas, who fired powerfully beyond Hampton to double Spain's advantage and send the stadium into celebration.

Shortly before half-time, Edna Imade went down inside the penalty area, but Croatian referee Ivana Martinčić waved play on. Spain headed into the interval firmly in control.

The second half resumed in much the same fashion, with Spain aggressive, purposeful and relentless. Vicky López remained particularly influential down the left flank, combining effectively with Edna Imade and Lucía Corrales to stretch the England defence. Sonia Bermúdez's side continued to press forward in search of further goals.

Salma Paralluelo came within inches of connecting with an excellent delivery from Mapi León, while at the other end Georgia Stanway produced England's most dangerous effort of the night, narrowly missing Cata Coll's right-hand post in the 54th minute.

The third goal arrived moments later. Alexia Putellas demonstrated her determination and instinct by following up her initial effort after Lucy Bronze had blocked on the goal line. Refusing to give up on the play, the captain reacted quickest to convert at the second attempt and extend Spain's lead. Patri Guijarro nearly added a second of her own shortly afterwards, but her header struck both Hampton and the crossbar.

Bermúdez then freshened her side, introducing Claudia Pina for Vicky López in the 67th minute. The forward quickly made her presence felt, forcing a save from Hampton with a trademark right-footed strike. Aitana Bonmatí and Esther González were subsequently introduced in place of Alexia Putellas and Edna Imade.

Pina's persistence paid off in the 78th minute. After threatening moments earlier, she finally found the net with a finish characteristic of her style, putting the result beyond doubt and delivering a fourth goal that completed a memorable evening for Spain. Clara Serrajordi and Olga Carmona later replaced Mariona Caldentey and Lucía Corrales as the hosts comfortably saw out the closing stages.

The final whistle confirmed an outstanding victory over England. Spain not only overturned the head-to-head deficit but also claimed the superior goal difference and moved to the summit of Group A3. Attention now turns to Tuesday's sixth and final qualifier against Iceland, where a place at the FIFA Women's World Cup will be on the line.