MATCH REPORT | Spain give it their all in vein at Wembley (England 1-0 Spain)

After the sound and light show before the match at Wembley, the footballing spectacle began between two giants of world football, the World Champions against the European Champions. 

The opening minutes were used by both teams to probe each other and Montse Tomé's team then began to get hold of the ball and create the first threats to Hampton's goal. It was in the eighth minute when Salma Paralluelo, after a cutback down the side, ran out of space to finish and the English crowd breathed a sigh of relief. The home fans felt the same three minutes later when Lucia Garcia's shot following a corner hit the crossbar. 

The Spanish national team were gradually getting closer and the corners came and went while Sarina Wiegman's team could only make some timid forays towards Cata's goal, but they came up against a solid defence. Spain were looking dangerous and Claudia Pina tried from outside the area, but her shot went just over the woodwork in the 20th minute. Cata had to be at her best to deal with James' free-kick and Olga Carmona blocked the follow up.

England then enjoyed their most dangerous minutes in the first half and they ended up scoring the first goal of the match with Park's goal (32nd minute) after some scrappy play inside the box. But the national team recovered and pushed on again with a powerful shot from Salma Paralluelo that went narrowly wide. Then, Aitana Bonmatí had the clearest chance to equalise, but her strike was saved by Hampton before the teams headed back to the dressing room for half time.

The second half started like the first, with Spain looking for the ball, playing it around neatly and creating chances. Mariona Caldentey was the first to try her luck in front of the English goal but to no avail. The match had to be stopped in the 51st minute because the flood lights went out at Wembley, which was then illuminated by the torches of the crowd's mobile phones. It was only for a few seconds but it left a curious sight for all to behold at the home of football.

After the short blackout, Montse Tomé brought on Leila Ouahabi to replace Olga Carmona (55 mins). And her British counterpart did the same with a double change minutes later (62'): Parris came on for Russo and Park for Kelly. The Spanish national team did not give up and continued to create moves that brought them closer and closer to the English goal, but without finding the finishing touch. Athena came on in the 69th minute to replace Lucía García and Salma had more chances. Again from outside the box, time Leila Ouahabi forced the England goalkeeper to be at full stretch. In the next move Mariona Caldentey also hit the side netting. 

Montse made a double substitution in search of an equaliser in the final stretch of the game. Alba Redondo and Maite Zubieta replaced Salma and Laia Aleixandri. At the same time, England brought on Naz for Toone. The goalkeepers were called upon and Cata Coll made a brilliant point-blank save to prevent a second English goal five minutes from the end. 

Despite the many chances and looking tidy in their general play, the national team could not score at Wembley and lost by a goal to nil.