England women's national team coach Sarina Wiegman and forward Lauren Hemp said the team has moved on following a 4-0 defeat [1] to Spain.
The loss is significant because it complicates England's path toward direct qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup [3]. A result that avoided defeat against Spain would have secured that direct route [3].
The match took place Friday in Mallorca, Spain [4]. The result marked the team's worst defeat since 2009 [2].
Wiegman and Hemp said they are focusing on the team's recovery and their preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Wiegman said she is looking for the Lionesses to show their true selves as they rebound from the result.
Hemp said she had a sleepless night following the thrashing. Despite the setback, the squad is prioritizing the next fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The team's performance in Mallorca has raised questions about their current form heading into the 2027 cycle. However, the coaching staff maintains that the squad is capable of returning to its expected standard of play before the Ukraine match.
“The result marked the team's worst defeat since 2009.”
The 4-0 loss represents a rare systemic failure for the Lionesses, marking their lowest point in competitive play since 2009. By missing the opportunity for direct qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup, England now faces a more precarious route to the tournament, making the upcoming match against Ukraine a critical necessity for stability and momentum.
