How England can beat Spain in Euro 2025 final

England's performance in Nations League win at Wembley is blueprint for success for Wiegman's side

Lauren James was key in England’s 1-0 win in the Uefa Nations League in February. Credit: Getty Images

England-Spain, a rematch of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final and the latest instalment in an exciting rivalry that is developing in women’s football.

Much will be made of that final in Australia where Spain ran out 1-0 winners and England never really showed up. But really, there is a more recent fixture that England should look to for inspiration for Sunday’s Euro 2025 final.

In February, England beat Spain 1-0 in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley. Now, the Nations League may not be tournament conditions, but it’s the closest thing to high-intensity, competitive international fixtures outside of a World Cup or Euros.

Heading into that game, England had looked poor, and performances and results had suffered. There was a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Germany and an unconvincing 2-1 win over South Africa in October, followed by a 0-0 draw with the USA and a narrow 1-0 win against Switzerland. It wasn’t just those matches where England seemed to be struggling. It had been an 18-month period of sloppiness.

Even the game before that impressive result against Spain was concerning, with England drawing 1-1 with Portugal after conceding a late goal, having gone 1-0 up early in the game.

The energy that night against Spain at Wembley was one of low expectation. Many thought England might get blown away by the world champions, and that their Euro 2025 preparations would take yet another knock.

Instead, what Sarina Wiegman managed to deliver was one of the most composed and convincing England performances in years.

Here’s how they did it and what will be key ahead of Sunday’s final.