Wiegman pays price for lack of defensive pragmatism as Spain expose technical gap England’s heavy defeat to Spain in Mallorca exposed a stark technical gap between the two teams, leaving the Lionesses with a brutal reality check as they prepare for the Women’s World Cup. The match, played on a balmy evening in Palma, saw Spain dominate with a blend of grace, precision, and swagger, sending a clear message that they are the class of European football. Aitana Bonmatí’s flicks around the pitch during stoppage time encapsulated Spain’s superiority, while the scoreline—though not the most damning—highlighted a deeper issue: England’s inability to match the world champions’ technical prowess. The result marked a significant setback for England, whose squad faced a unique challenge. Many Lionesses had gone 20 days without a game since the Women’s Super League season ended on 16 May, while Spain’s top flight continued until 31 May. This gap in match sharpness likely contributed to Spain’s commanding performance, but it did not excuse England’s heavy defeat. The loss eclipsed their 2023 2-0 friendly loss to Australia and marked Wiegman’s worst result since taking charge, underscoring the urgency for tactical adjustments. Wiegman’s tactical approach came under scrutiny, particularly her decision to start Ella Toone despite her lack of match sharpness. The Manchester United midfielder struggled throughout the game, while Lucy Bronze, a reliable defensive anchor, was outmaneuvered by Spain’s forwards. Alex Greenwood’s costly error in allowing Alexia Putellas to score the second goal further compounded England’s woes. The backline, once formidable, failed to contain Spain’s attacking trio of Putellas, Salma Paralluelo, and substitute Clàudia Pina, who exploited gaps with clinical precision.#spain #england_lionesses #aitana_bonmati #alex_greenwood #claudia_pina
