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By TARA ANSON-WALSH Published: 11: 03 AEDT, 27 February 2025 | Updated: 11: 03 AEDT, 27 February 2025 4 View comments A lot has happened in the 18 months that have passed since these two sides last met in Sydney for the 2023 World Cup final. As the Lionesses spent a long few months picking themselves up from the heartache, Spain underwent a global, widespread movement as the women’s football world threw its arms behind Jenni Hermoso in the wake of the Luis Rubiales kiss. Back on the pitch tonight, though, it was as if time had stood still as Wembley staged a tactical battle between two of the world’s very best. For the first time in what seemed like a long time, England looked like the team that had marched their way to the final Down Under. It was one goal of quality that was the decider here, and it came from a wonderful sequence of events from Alessia Russo. The 26-year-old dropped her shoulder and flew into the box. Her shot was deflected by Spain’s defender, but Jess Park was alive to the rebound, poking it in from close range. ‘We showed ourselves again tonight that we can compete with the best, ’ Wiegman said after the match. ‘We’ve shown that before and it was really good now to show that again. ’ Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the things we learned from tonight’s clash at Wembley… England had their revenge on Spain 18 months after their World Cup final heartbreak  Sarina Wiegman has just a few months left to confirm her selection ahead of the summer Euros Wiegman made just one change to the side that was held to a disappointing draw against Portugal last Friday, with the Lionesses boss bringing Hannah Hampton in for Mary Earps. Wiegman has rotated the two goalkeepers during every camp for nearly a year now, giving nothing away as to which of the two she is leaning towards, despite there being just over four months to go until the Euros kick off. ‘The two are fighting for the number one position and they’re both world-class goalkeepers. So they give me headaches, ’ Wiegman said. There was a nervy moment in the opening 10 minutes when Leah Williamson played the ball back to Hampton. Unaware of former Manchester United striker Lucia Garcia bearing down on her, Hampton took an extra touch, only to be saved her blushes by the offside flag as Garcia attempted to nick the ball off her feet. Hampton was clearly brought in for her superior distribution against a Spanish side who like to press high and keep the ball, and she had an otherwise positive night, making a wonderful reflex save on the stroke of half-time and keeping a cool head to deny Lucia Garcia after the reset. Hannah Hampton had a mostly positive night in goal but has not yet nailed down her place The Chelsea full-back had a blinder against the world champions this evening. Whether it was due to the fact she was going up against so many of her former Barcelona teammates or if the memories of that night in Sydney were still in the back of her mind, what was clear is the light in the 33-year-old continues to burn brighter than ever. ‘It’s really nice to have her on the pitch, ’ Wiegman said. ‘She brings power. She really understands the tactics so everyone around her – she’s so supportive and helpful – that makes other players play better too. ’ There was one moment early in the first half when Bronze sprinted back, won a foul, and then proceeded to laugh as her Spanish opponents complained to the referee. The five-time Champions League winner was at her finest tonight, and this England side is all the better for it. Lucy Bronze was able to exorcise her demons from the World Cup final with a strong showing Speaking of Chelsea defenders, one player who doesn’t usually find herself in this category is Lauren James. James was back to her best this evening, looking threatening in front of goal and making her characteristic runs off the shoulder of Spain’s defence. One area that she has clearly been working on is her defensive duties, running back with pace to deny Spain an equalizing opportunity late in the game. Her manager hailed her efforts in the post-match press conference, saying her defensive work was the ‘biggest step that she’s taken’ and that she was ‘proud to see that’. Chelsea star Lauren James was on defensive duty in a mature display in an England shirt Ten minutes after the second half kicked off, the floodlights bizarrely cut out, sending the whole stadium into virtual darkness. Luckily, the ball had gone out of play, saving any awkwardness for the referees, while the players were left to wait and rehydrate until they flicked back on. England fans took it upon themselves to light their torches as technicians scrambled in the background to turn them back on. It only took a couple of minutes until the situation was resolved, but questions will be asked – and electricity bills looked at more meticulously – before the next big game rolls around. Wembley was plunged into darkness during the match as the lights went out at the home of English football When Georgia Stanway announced that she had suffered a dreaded knee injury keeping her out for potentially months, questions of who would come in to replace her were understandably raised. Wiegman has rarely strayed from the Keira Walsh-Stanway axis, so bringing in Grace Clinton was a gamble that the Dutch coach would have liked to avoid, given the Manchester United midfielder had only made five previous appearances for the Lionesses before this camp. But the 21-year-old is looking increasingly assured in the position, perhaps helped by her knowledge of playing alongside Ella Toone at Manchester United. While Clinton still looks a bit shaky defensively, she is young and still learning her trade in a new position, and will continue to act as adequate cover as Stanway recovers. Grace Clinton is growing into her role in the England side but offered a positive performance Why there isn’t VAR in an international tournament like the Nations League is mystifying, as refereeing decisions were once again brought under the spotlight after a series of controversial moments. Perhaps the strongest of these was when Leah Williamson was wrestled to the floor of the penalty box by Laia Aleixandri before halftime. The referee had a clear view of the Manchester City defender pulling Williamson’s arm in the box but chose to play on. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group