England defeated world champions Spain 1-0 in a friendly match on Tuesday evening. Chelsea forward Lauren James started in a central attacking role behind Alessia Russo, rather than her previous position on the wing. According to Sky Sports, James provided the assist for the only goal of the game, scored by Russo in the first half.
Head coach Sarina Wiegman utilised the fixture to experiment with player positioning ahead of upcoming competitive internationals. James remained at the centre of England's creative play until her substitution in the second half. The result marks a significant victory against the side that defeated England in the 2023 World Cup final.
Per The Guardian, the tactical shift allowed James more freedom to dictate possession in the final third. Wiegman praised the team's defensive discipline against a Spanish side that dominated much of the ball. The Lionesses now turn their attention to the next round of European Championship qualifiers scheduled for later this year.
