Spain women thrash England 4-0, inch closer to World Cup direct spot
Synopsis
Spain didn't just beat England — they flipped the World Cup qualifying table in one night. A 4-0 demolition in Mallorca, capped by Putellas's brace and Bonmati's return from injury, means Spain need only beat Iceland on Tuesday to book a direct flight to Brazil. England, who led the group after Wembley, now face a play-off nightmare.
Key Takeaways
Spain beat England 4-0 at Son Moix Stadium, Mallorca on 6 June in Women's World Cup qualifying.
Both sides are now level on 12 points ; Spain lead on head-to-head goal difference.
Alexia Putellas scored a brace ( 37' and 55' ); Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina also scored.
Aitana Bonmati returned from a February ankle injury and assisted Spain's fourth goal.
Spain will secure direct World Cup qualification with a win over Iceland on Tuesday .
England coach Sarina Wiegman described the defeat as the first time her side had lost by more than one goal.
Spain's women's football team delivered a dominant 4-0 victory over England at Son Moix Stadium in Mallorca on Friday, 6 June, taking a commanding step toward direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. The result levels both sides on 12 points in the qualifying group, but Spain's superior head-to-head goal difference now puts them firmly in the driving seat.
What Spain Need to Seal Qualification
A single win against Iceland on Tuesday will be enough for Spain to confirm a direct berth in Brazil without needing a play-off. The head-to-head goals rule proved pivotal — England had beaten Spain 1-0 at Wembley in their first qualifying fixture, meaning Spain required a margin of at least two goals on Friday to leapfrog their rivals. They delivered emphatically.
How the Goals Came
Patri Guijarro opened the scoring in the 19th minute, her long-range effort taking a heavy deflection that left England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton stranded. Alexia Putellas then doubled the lead in the 37th minute after a precise through ball from Mariona Caldentey, despite Hampton having earlier denied both Putellas and Vicky Lopez.
Spain should have extended their advantage before the break, but Lopez and Salma Paralluelo mishandled a two-on-one counter, with Esme Morgan producing a vital block. The second half followed the same script — Spain's high press forced repeated England errors, and Putellas completed her brace in the 55th minute, reacting sharply after her initial effort was cleared off the line.
The fourth arrived courtesy of Aitana Bonmati, returning from an ankle injury sustained in February, who quickly made her presence felt by teeing up Claudia Pina to round off a thoroughly convincing evening for the hosts.
What England's Coach Said
England women's head coach Sarina Wiegman was candid in her post-match press conference. 'Of course it hurts,' she said. 'I hoped for a totally different game. I expected a tight game, a very competitive game. But there was a difference tonight.'
Wiegman acknowledged her side's tactical failings: 'We wanted to press high in moments, but they played straight over our press... We were really struggling to keep the ball and find longer passes, or play it in behind. They played really well, and we didn't play so well.'
She added: 'I'm frustrated and very disappointed but so are the players. It hurts because we have lost a couple of times but never by more than one goal.'
What Happens Next
Spain face Iceland on Tuesday knowing a win seals direct qualification. England, meanwhile, must reassess their campaign with their World Cup fate now dependent on results elsewhere and the possibility of a play-off route. Notably, this is the first time Spain have beaten England by four goals in women's international football, underscoring the scale of the shift in the qualifying group's momentum.
Point of View
A problem that has recurred in high-pressure European fixtures. For Spain, the timing of Bonmati's return is ominous for every other team in the bracket; she changed the game within minutes of coming on. The deeper question for England is structural: their squad depth in midfield and their press-resistance under a high defensive line have been vulnerabilities for two cycles now, and a potential play-off route to Brazil would test both severely.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result between Spain and England in Women's World Cup qualifying?
Spain beat England 4-0 at Son Moix Stadium in Mallorca on 6 June. The result levels both sides on 12 points in the qualifying group, with Spain now ahead on head-to-head goal difference.
How can Spain qualify directly for the 2026 Women's World Cup?
Spain will secure direct qualification for the Women's World Cup in Brazil with a win over Iceland on Tuesday. The head-to-head goals rule means their 4-0 win over England has given them the decisive advantage in the group.
Who scored for Spain against England?
Patri Guijarro scored in the 19th minute, Alexia Putellas netted a brace in the 37th and 55th minutes, and Claudia Pina added the fourth after an assist from returning star Aitana Bonmati.
What did England coach Sarina Wiegman say after the 4-0 defeat?
Wiegman said she was 'frustrated and very disappointed,' admitting Spain 'played really well' while England struggled to maintain possession and execute their game plan. She noted it was the first time her side had lost by more than one goal.
Why did Spain need to win by two or more goals against England?
England had beaten Spain 1-0 at Wembley in the first qualifying fixture. With head-to-head goals being the tiebreaker if both teams finish level on points, Spain needed at least a two-goal winning margin to overtake England in the group standings.
