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England are in good form, beating Portugal 6-0 last week with Beever-Jones’s first-half hat-trick leading the rout.
But Spain, the world champions, are a different test all together. Here is what Wiegman said on tonight’s task:
I think Spain is a totally different game than what we had on Friday.
We are aware that Spain is different – it’s the highest level we can imagine so we have to have a good start again. We’re going out there to play the best performance and to take another step in our style of play and our development and have a good gameplan.
I think our squad is strong enough that we can have a good performance against a top, top team but I think we’re a good team too and we’re going to do everything to win that game.
Sarina Wiegman will announce her Euro 2025 squad on Thursday as England begin their title defence against France in Switzerland. Will any of her players make enough of a mark tonight to cause a last minute shuffle?
One player we know will not be on the team sheet is Mary Earps, who announced her shock retirement late last month.
Wiegman has preferred Hampton between the sticks as of late but Earps’ experience would have been invaluable this summer.
Quite a few England and Spain players were a part of the Champions League final last month, where Arsenal – the heavy underdogs – beat Barcelona 1-0. Lucy Bronze, a five-time Champions League winner said it was only a positive more England players have won the pinnacle of club football.
It’s just fantastic for us as an England team and us as a country, to have so many more players who are doing great things and achieving great things.
The Chelsea full-back also spoke on her teammate Millie Bright’s decision to take a break for her mental health.
We’ve all spoken to Millie during the week. We’ve just offered her our support. Both physically and mentally, it’s been a long season for everyone but, having spent every day with Millie, I know she’s someone who’s quite tough and maybe just holds a lot in, so I think it’s been quite brave for her to come out and speak.
Team news
Spain (4-3-3): Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmatí, Guijaro, Putellas; Caldentey, González, Paralluelo
Subs: Nanclares, Sullastres, Fernandez, S García, Méndez, Zubieta, López, L García, Redondo, Pina, Martín-Prieto, Del Castillo
England (4-3-3): Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Charles; Stanway, Walsh, Park; Mead, Russo, Hemp
Subs: Moorhouse, Keating, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Carter, Le Tissier, Toone, Kearns, Agyemang, Parris, Beever-Jones, Kelly
Preamble
It is all or nothing for the Lionesses in tonight’s Nations League match between Spain and England as both sides fight to finish top of Group A3 to qualify for the finals.
Spain currently lead the pack in a group that also includes Portugal and Belgium with 12 points while England trail in second with 10.
Sarina Wiegmna’s side need a win tonight to advance to the knockout stage while Spain can get by with only a point.
Join me for team news and buildup before the 6pm BST/7pm CEST kick-off. And, as always, feel free to send me an email with your thoughts, questions, predictions, complaints and rituals. I want to hear it all!
