On a historic night at Wembley, Keira Walsh celebrated her 100th cap for England with a hard-fought victory that kept the Lionesses firmly on course for the 2025 Women's World Cup. A blistering start from Lauren Hemp proved decisive as England edged a resilient Spain side 1-0, maintaining their perfect record atop Group A3 in UEFA qualifying.

The match exploded into life almost immediately. Just two minutes and 34 seconds in, Lauren Hemp volleyed home to score England's fastest-ever goal at the national stadium. The move was a moment of pure ingenuity, starting with a clever flick from Alessia Russo while on the floor and ending with Hemp's strike squeezing past Spanish captain Alexia Putellas on the line. It was a statement of intent against the reigning world champions, who arrived in London unbeaten since October.

While the early goal set the tone, Spain responded with periods of controlled possession, probing for an equalizer. England's defense, however, held firm under pressure. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, despite a nervy moment with a misplaced pass, was a reliable last line, producing a stunning save in the final minute of normal time to deny Edna Imade from a corner and preserve the clean sheet.

The victory was a fitting tribute to centurion Keira Walsh, whose midfield composure was instrumental in navigating Spain's threats. For Sarina Wiegman's side, this gritty performance—their third win in three qualifiers—showcases the blend of attacking flair and defensive resilience that makes them a formidable force. The Lionesses now turn their focus to a landmark 500th competitive match against Iceland, riding a wave of momentum and sitting pretty at the summit of their qualifying group.