England v Spain: where the Women’s Euro 2025 final could be won or lost | OneFootball

Midfield battle

Spain’s domination in the middle of the park, in and out of possession, is what contributed significantly to their victory over England at the World Cup in 2023. The trio of Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro are very technical and comfortable on the ball and create midfield rotations. Guijarro is instrumental, allowing the other two to make their runs and finding the passes to cut through defensive lines. In the semi-final against Germany, she completed more passes than anyone else. How England set up their midfield will be crucial. Their Nations League victory in February was down in large part to the selfless work rate of Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Keira Walsh, who at times had to sacrifice the creative aspects of the game to close the midfield spaces, cut off the passing triangles that Spain love and prevent them from having free rein to roam through the thirds.

England’s left-side frailties

The left side of England’s defence has been targeted throughout the tournament. Remember Delphine Cascarino for France, Stina Blackstenius and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd for Sweden and Sofia Cantore for Italy. England have not looked comfortable there, no matter who has been selected to start. Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey will be licking their lips at the prospect of imposing themselves early on Alex Greenwood and whoever is chosen at left centre-back. England tend to be caught high in that area and will need to be extremely disciplined and perhaps sit a little deeper to stop themselves being exposed to the pace of Spain. It also raises the question about whether Sarina Wiegman could start with a three at the back to try to add more protection and pack their box with numbers when Spain break.

England’s distribution from the back

It is unlikely England will see much of the ball, either by design or by Spain’s ability to dominate possession. Therefore, the Lionesses must make sure they take their opportunities when they fall. One way to do this is to bypass midfield and set players such as Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp away with crossfield passes and by going route one over the top. In Hannah Hampton, they possess one of the best distributors in the goalkeeping game. Her pass to Russo in England’s second match took out 95% of the Netherlands team for Lauren James’s opener and she is constantly hitting Lucy Bronze and Greenwood on the sidelines as she sets off England’s attacking play. Equally, Leah Williamson is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs and has registered the most accurate long balls per 90 minutes of anyone in the competition.

Key match-ups

Hemp against Batlle will be an eye-catching contest down England’s left. Both are lightning quick; in fact, Batlle has registered the tournament’s highest top speed at 30.5 km/h. Spain’s right-back likes to push high, which Hemp will have to be aware of defensively, but it is a strong option for England to hit on the transition and exploit the space left in behind. Irene Paredes and Russo know each other very well having come face-to-face in this year’s Champions League final. Russo’s intelligence and energy in the press are among her strongest assets and she closed down Paredes exceptionally throughout. The Spain defender loves time on the ball and is the most accurate passer in the competition. The England forward can break through at pace, something Spain have not looked altogether comfortable with. Equally at the other end the new defensive unit of Williamson and either Esme Morgan or Jess Carter will have to be alert to deal with the direct threat of Esther González. One more to keep an eye on is Walsh v Bonmatí in midfield – two players who know each other’s strengths and weaknesses well.

Depth off the bench

England’s squad depth has been the talk of the tournament. The options Wiegman has at her disposal give her a variety of ways to change a game. Michelle Agyemang has caught the headlines with two late goals from the bench that have arguably kept the Lionesses in the competition. Chloe Kelly is a big impact player whose delivery from wide areas is second to none and Aggie Beever-Jones is one of the most instinctive finishers. It is also the versatility of the players that serves Wiegman well; their ability to do a job wherever needed. Beth Mead played in every midfield position after coming on for James against Italy and applied herself with aptitude. Montse Tomé has finishers of her own. Athenea del Castillo has come on twice to change a match, scoring against Switzerland and setting up Bonmatí’s extra-time winner against Germany. Salma Paralluelo is another who has that ability, hitting tired defences with her pace late on.

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