In the 18 months since losing that showcase match in Sydney to a single Olga Carmona goal, Sarina Wiegman ’s side have chanced upon choppy waters, losing to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and being held, on Friday, by Portugal, 18 places below them in the FIFA world rankings.

England face Spain in the Nations League on Wednesday night after being limited to a frustrating draw against Portugal in the opener; three problems facing Sarina Wiegman including Lauren James best position,

Football betting sites make Spain the favourites to win at Wembley at 8/11, while England are 17/5 and you can get 29/10 on a draw. The two sides have met 12 times so far and it’s England who lead the head-to-head 6-3 while three meetings have ended all square.

Jess Park fired England to a 1-0 win against Spain on Wednesday in a Women's Nations League clash that provided a measure of revenge for their World Cup final defeat. It ws the first time England had faced Spain since the Lionesses lost the 2023 World Cup final.