Spain Women’s National Football Team vs England Women’s National Football Team Lineups

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final marked an iconic moment in the history of women’s football, as Spain and England, two of Europe’s strongest teams, faced off for the ultimate prize.

Held in an electrifying atmosphere, this final showcased the evolution of women’s football into a technically refined, tactically sophisticated game. The lineups for each team were critical, reflecting each coach’s tactical objectives and the player roles designed to exploit opponent weaknesses.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the lineups, tactical decisions, and individual performances that shaped this extraordinary final, capturing a thrilling chapter in women’s football history.

Spain Women’s National Football Team Lineup

Spain opted for a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed them to control the game’s tempo through possession and quick, precise passing.

This lineup structure enabled the Spanish team to create numerical advantages in midfield while maintaining width in their attack.

Goalkeeper

• Sandra Paños: The last line of defense, Paños played a pivotal role in managing the game from the back, making crucial saves and distributing the ball with composure.

Defense

Player	Position	Strengths
Mapi León	Center-back	Reading of the game, interception ability
Irene Paredes	Center-back	Aerial prowess, strong defensive presence
Laia Codina	Right-back	Versatile support in defense and attack
María León	Left-back	Provides width, adept at joining attacks

The pairing of León and Paredes at center-back gave Spain a strong defensive spine, with Codina and María León adding width and flexibility, frequently joining attacks to stretch England’s defense.

Midfield

Player	Position	Key Role
Aitana Bonmatí	Central Midfielder	Dictates game tempo, vision
Ingrid Engen	Defensive Midfielder	Ball recovery disrupts opposition
Alexia Putellas	Attacking Midfielder	Ball recovery disrupts the opposition

Bonmatí’s presence as the central playmaker was essential for Spain’s possession-based approach, enabling them to dictate the game’s pace. Engen’s defensive discipline allowed Bonmatí and Putellas more freedom to create scoring opportunities.

Forward Line

Player	Position	Key Role
Jenni Hermoso	Center Forward	Target player, creative play in attack
Alba Redondo	Right Wing	High work rate, stretches defense
Olga Carmona	Left Wing	Leadership, offensive drive, captain

Carmona, who captained Spain, was instrumental in linking Spain’s attacks, scoring the decisive goal in the final. Together, this front line provided Spain with the balance of creativity and finishing ability necessary to challenge England’s defense.

England Women’s National Football Team Lineup

England, under the guidance of Sarina Wiegman, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup balanced defensive solidity with offensive potential, utilizing a double pivot in midfield to limit Spain’s movement and provide cover for England’s full-backs during counter-attacks.

Goalkeeper

• Mary Earps: Known for her commanding presence, Earps made pivotal saves, including a critical penalty stop, demonstrating her skill under pressure.

Defense

Player	Position	Key Role
Millie Bright	Center-back	Strong defensive positioning, aerial strength
Leah Williamson	Center-back	Tactical awareness, distribution ability
Lucy Bronze	Right-back	Attacking support, width on the right
Rachel Daly	Left-back	Defensive stability, overlapping runs

Bright and Williamson’s central partnership was essential for England, combining physicality and tactical understanding.

Daly and Bronze offered England both defensive cover and width, supporting counter-attacks when Spain’s defense was stretched.

Midfield

Player	Position	Key Role
Keira Walsh	Defensive Midfielder	Provides cover, breaks up play
Georgia Stanway	Defensive Midfielder	Press resistance, transitions
Ella Toone	Attacking Midfielder	The creative link between lines

Walsh and Stanway formed a “double pivot,” anchoring England’s defense and feeding transitions into attack. Toone’s advanced position helped link the play and create opportunities in Spain’s half.

Attack

Player	Position	Key Role
Lauren Hemp	Right Wing	Pacey, stretches Spain’s backline
Chloe Kelly	Left Wing	Counter-attacking widens the pitch
Alessia Russo	Center Forward	Holds play, offensive target

England’s attack relied on the pace of Hemp and Kelly on the wings, who used their speed to exploit Spain’s defensive gaps.

Russo’s physical presence at center forward allowed her to occupy Spain’s defenders and create space for the wingers.

Spain’s Strategy and England’s Response

Spain’s tactical strategy was centered around controlling possession and applying a high press to disrupt England’s buildup. Their tactics involved:

Spain used a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on possession and quick passing to control the game. Their midfield, led by Aitana Bonmatí, kept the ball moving and created space for the forwards. Spain’s strategy was to wear down England with constant pressure.

England played a more defensive game with a 4-2-3-1 formation. They focused on staying compact, absorbing pressure, and then counter-attacking quickly. Their wingers, Lauren Hemp, and Chloe Kelly, looked to exploit any space left by Spain’s defense.

1. High Pressing: Reclaiming the ball quickly to prevent England from organizing counter-attacks.
2. Quick Ball Circulation: By moving the ball fluidly across midfield, Spain created space to exploit England’s compact defense.
3. Full-Back Width: Spain’s full-backs stretched England’s defense, creating channels for Bonmatí and Putellas to exploit.

In response, England deployed a compact defensive shape, aiming to absorb Spain’s pressure and create counter-attacking opportunities:

1. Solid Defensive Block: Using a 4-2-3-1, England minimized space between the lines, making it difficult for Spain to penetrate through the middle.
2. Pace on the Flanks: Hemp and Kelly’s speed on the wings allowed England to quickly transition from defense to attack.
3. Set-Piece Opportunities: England emphasized set-pieces as potential scoring chances in a tight match where open-play goals were rare.

This strategic battle set the stage for an intense, evenly-matched contest, where Spain’s technical finesse was continually tested by England’s defensive discipline.

Key Moments and Player Performances

Key Moment	Description
Olga Carmona’s Goal	Spain’s captain scored the decisive goal with a clinical finish.
Mary Earps’ Penalty Save	Earps’ penalty stop was crucial in keeping England in the game.
Aitana Bonmatí’s Midfield Control	Bonmatí’s dominance in midfield enabled Spain to control possession.
Millie Bright’s Defensive Resilience	Bright’s defensive effort prevented multiple Spanish chances.

These moments illustrated the importance of individual brilliance in high-stakes matches, with each key performance influencing the game’s outcome.

Tactical Analysis

The tactical contrast between Spain’s 4-3-3 and England’s 4-2-3-1 formations was a defining feature of this match. Spain’s setup allowed them to control the midfield, utilizing Bonmatí’s vision and Putellas’ creativity.

By comparison, England’s double pivot (Walsh and Stanway) disrupted Spain’s rhythm and provided stability in defensive transitions.

Key Tactical Insights

Tactical Aspect	Spain’s Approach	England’s Response
Midfield Control	4-3-3 allowed Spain to dominate the midfield	Compact 4-2-3-1 limited space for Spain’s attack
Wide Play	Full-backs stretched England’s defense	Hemp and Kelly utilized wings for counter-attacks
Set-Pieces	A secondary option due to England’s defense	England relied on set pieces for scoring chances

Both teams’ tactical choices reflected their respective strengths, with Spain’s control over possession and England’s defensive pragmatism creating a balanced contest.

Key Player Insights

Player	Team	Role	Key Stats
Olga Carmona	Spain	Captain, Winger	1 goal, 3 key passes
Aitana Bonmatí	Spain	Midfield Maestro	92% pass accuracy, 2 chances created
Mary Earps	England	Goalkeeper	5 saves, 1 penalty save
Millie Bright	England	Defensive Anchor	8 clearances, 3 blocked shots

These players shaped the game through their skills and resilience, underscoring the role of individual brilliance alongside team dynamics.

Impact of the Lineups on the Game

Spain’s lineup, structured for possession and pressing, allowed them to control large portions of the game. By maximizing midfield dominance, they created more opportunities to breach England’s defense. 

England’s defensive setup made it difficult for Spain to break through, but they struggled to build attacks. Their counter-attacks, while quick, didn’t create enough opportunities. Spain’s ability to control the ball ultimately wore down England’s defense.

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 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Who was in England’s starting 11 against Spain?

England’s starting lineup included Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, Rachel Daly, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, and Alessia Russo.

Who is in the Spain women’s football squad for 2024?

The 2024 squad will likely include key players from the 2023 team, such as Sandra Paños, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmatí, and Jenni Hermoso, though official announcements are still pending.

What trophies has the England women’s football team won?

The England women’s team secured their first major international trophy by winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.

Where can I watch the Spain vs. England match?

Future matches can be streamed on national sports channels and popular streaming platforms. Check local listings for more details.

Conclusion

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England was a display of high-level tactical football. Spain’s technical skill, especially from Aitana Bonmatí and Olga Carmona, proved decisive. Their possession-based play and ability to control the game gave them the edge.

England’s defensive resilience was evident throughout, with Mary Earps and Millie Bright delivering standout performances. Their counter-attacking strategy kept Spain under pressure but ultimately wasn’t enough to break through. The 4-2-3-1 setup showed their adaptability.

This final was a landmark for women’s football, setting a new standard for international competitions. Both teams demonstrated tremendous skill, passion, and tactical depth. Their performances will inspire future generations of players and fans worldwide.