Pina’s Double Propels Spain to Victory Over England in Thrilling Comeback

Claudia Pina’s impactful substitution saw her netting two goals, enabling Spain, the current Nations League champions, to rally from a goal deficit and secure a 2-1 victory against England. This triumph guaranteed them the top spot in Group 3 and a coveted place in the competition’s final four this year.

With Germany and France previously clinching victories in Groups 1 and 2 respectively, the highly anticipated match between world champions Spain and European champions England determined the Group 3 victor. Simultaneously, Sweden faced Denmark in a decisive showdown in Stockholm.

From the start, Spain applied considerable pressure. Striker Esther Gonzalez’s efforts prompted a remarkable one-handed save from England’s goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton. However, Alessio Russo managed to give the visitors the lead in the 22nd minute with a composed finish against the run of play.

Despite enjoying a significant amount of possession, the home side struggled to create substantial opportunities. Pina’s introduction in the 58th minute proved pivotal, as she swiftly equalized within two minutes. Her precise shot bypassed Hampton and found the net, capitalizing on England’s costly loss of possession while attempting to play out from the back.

Ahead of Euro 2025, Pina, aged 23, made a strong case for a starting position by scoring the winning goal ten minutes later. Her stunning, arcing shot left Hampton with no chance. This victory elevated Spain to 15 points from six matches, establishing a five-point lead over England.

In another significant match of the evening, Sweden appeared set to join Spain in the final four after establishing an impressive 3-0 lead in the initial 11 minutes of their match against Denmark. By the hour mark, they had extended their lead to 5-1.