England beat world champions Spain in Women's Nations League

A superb defensive performance by England laid the foundations for winger Jess Park to get the only goal of a 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley and put England second in Group A3 in the Women's Nations League on Wednesday.

With Portugal also having four points and the same number of goals scored and conceded, they top the group thanks to the ninth of UEFA's 11 tie-breakers after a 1-0 win away to Belgium, while England's 1-0 victory came at home.

Spain are third on three points, with Belgium bottom following two defeats in their opening two games.

Though Spain had plenty of possession in dangerous areas and a number of decent chances, England's tireless defensive effort and some good goalkeeping by Hannah Hampton allowed the European champions to edge the world champions in an enthralling encounter.

Lucía García smacked an early shot off the crossbar for the visitors and Clàudia Pina flashed a shot just over the bar but England pressed superbly and got the goal their collective effort deserved in the 33rd minute.

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The move leading up to it was a sweet one. Grace Clinton set Alessio Russo free down the left and she surged into the box before letting fly with a shot that was blocked before falling into the path of Park, who fired home from close range.

The game suffered a brief blackout when the stadium floodlights went out in the 52nd minute but power was restored quickly and the game was able to continue.

Clinton might have preferred them to have stayed off when she missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 for England shortly afterwards, firing a weak effort straight at the keeper after brilliant work down the right by Lucy Bronze and Park.

Leila Ouahabi forced a fine save from Hampton in the 74th minute, launching a stinging drive from the edge of the box that the keeper had to turn behind for a corner, and Mariona Caldentey lashed an effort just wide after England struggled to clear the subsequent set piece.

Hampton was called upon to intervene on several occasions in the closing stages, cutting out crosses and making some routine saves to secure a win against the side currently second in the world in the FIFA rankings.