Spain Punishes Lionesses as Chelsea Players Face Mixed Results

Sarina Wiegman trusted Chelsea’s core on a bruising night in Mallorca. Four Blues in England’s starting XI, one of them wearing the armband. Ninety minutes later, the world champions had torn through the European champions, and the scoreboard told the story.

Hannah Hampton started in goal, Lucy Bronze at right-back, Keira Walsh captained the side from midfield and Lauren James led the line in attack. England arrived on a roll – four wins from four in World Cup qualifying, top of Group A3 – but Spain ripped into that momentum with the ruthless assurance of a team that knows exactly who it is.

Patri Guijarro struck first, Alexia Putellas followed before the interval, and by half-time the Lionesses were staring at a 2-0 deficit and a long way back. The pattern didn’t change after the break. Spain kept the ball, kept the pressure on, and kept scoring.

Putellas added her second in the 55th minute, the kind of clinical finish that underlines why she remains one of the game’s defining players. Claudia Pina then arrived from the bench and, with fresh legs and a sharp eye for goal, whipped in a fourth to complete a resounding victory for the world champions.

For Chelsea’s contingent, it was a demanding shift. Hampton and Walsh stayed on for the full 90 minutes. James was withdrawn on 59 minutes, her evening ended with England already chasing shadows. Bronze made way late on for fellow Chelsea defender Niamh Charles, while Aggie Beever-Jones did not make the match-day squad.

Nüsken leads Germany to World Cup ticket

Elsewhere, one Chelsea player enjoyed a far more satisfying night. Sjoeke Nüsken captained Germany and walked off with World Cup qualification secured.

Germany knew exactly what was at stake against Norway in Group A4: win, and the ticket to Brazil was theirs. They handled the pressure with the composure you’d expect. Marie Müller opened the scoring inside 20 minutes, settling any early nerves. Carlotta Wamser then doubled the lead soon after, giving Germany a cushion they never surrendered.

Norway carved out chances, but they never broke German resistance. Nüsken’s side saw the game out, closed the door, and booked their place at next year’s tournament with authority.

Cuthbert shines, then suffers in Scotland rout

In Scotland, Erin Cuthbert delivered the kind of all-action performance that has become her trademark – goal, assists, influence everywhere – before the night took a worrying turn.

Scotland dismantled Israel 6-0 in World Cup qualifying, and Cuthbert was at the heart of it. She opened the scoring in the 17th minute, collecting the ball around 20 yards out and driving a superb strike from the edge of the area into the net.

After the break, she turned provider. Cuthbert slid the pass for Caroline Weir’s second of the game – Scotland’s third – as the hosts ran riot. Once Weir had completed her hat-trick, Cuthbert picked out Lauren Davidson to add another, her second assist of the evening.

Kirsty Hanson then added further gloss to the scoreline. Yet as the match ticked into stoppage time, the tone shifted sharply. An innocuous-looking challenge left Cuthbert on the turf and in need of prolonged treatment. The midfielder was eventually carried off on a stretcher, a sobering end to an otherwise sparkling display.

Baltimore brilliance as France ease past Poland

France also took another confident step on the road to the World Cup. They had to be patient against Poland, but once the breakthrough came, they controlled the night.

Melvine Malard finally broke the hosts’ resistance early in the second half. The game loosened, France pushed higher, and the quality of their front line began to show.

Then came the moment of real class. Just after the hour mark, Sandy Baltimore produced a stunning second. The Chelsea winger drifted free of her marker, exchanged passes with Malard, burst into the box and lashed home with conviction to seal a 2-0 win for the visitors.

Rytting Kaneryd strikes but Denmark edge Sweden

In Denmark, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd found the net for Sweden, yet still walked away empty-handed from a tight qualifier.

Cecilie Floe put Denmark ahead in the first half, capitalising on their early pressure. Sweden responded after the interval, and Rytting Kaneryd was on hand to level from close range early in the second period, a poacher’s finish that briefly swung the momentum.

Denmark hit back. Former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder stepped up in the 65th minute, delivering the decisive blow to secure a 2-1 victory for the hosts and underline her enduring knack for big moments.

Peng anchors Swiss surge, Dutch Blues suffer late blow

There was no such drama for Livia Peng. The Chelsea goalkeeper played the full 90 minutes as Switzerland swept Malta aside 6-1 in a comprehensive display. Five games in, Switzerland sit atop their qualifying group with a three-point cushion over Turkey, their authority growing with every outing.

For Veerle Buurman and Wieke Kaptein, the night in Cork was far less comfortable. Both Chelsea players started for the Netherlands against the Republic of Ireland, but could not prevent a 3-2 defeat in a wild finish.

Kyra Carusa opened the scoring for Ireland, only for the Dutch to claw their way back. With 20 minutes remaining, Dominique Janssen pulled them level and seemed to tilt the game their way. Ireland hit straight back through Abbie Larkin, the hosts’ lead restored almost instantly. Still the Netherlands refused to fold, and Victoria Pelova struck with ten minutes to play to make it 2-2.

The draw looked set. Then came the late twist. As the clock wound down, Amber Barrett reacted quickest in the box and prodded home from close range, handing Ireland the win and leaving the Dutch – and their Chelsea duo – to digest a painful blow in their qualifying campaign.