Overview
- England have four wins from four in qualifying and will seal the group’s only automatic World Cup place by avoiding defeat in Spain on June 5.
- Lauren James has returned from an ankle injury and has lifted England’s attack with strong club form and standout shifts for the national team.
- Lauren Hemp looks fully fit and productive, scoring against Spain and assisting the winner in Iceland while linking smoothly with Lucy Bronze on the right.
- Sarina Wiegman now has real midfield options, with Lucia Kendall, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Jess Park easing a role that had lacked depth.
- Hannah Hampton’s key saves in Iceland and clean sheets with a new centre-back duo of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan boost belief, though Spain away is the toughest test.