England’s hopes for direct qualification into next year’s Women’s World Cup suffered a significant blow after a dominant Spain side inflicted a resounding 4-0 defeat in Mallorca.
The Lionesses, who had entered the match leading qualifying Group A3 with a perfect record of four wins, found themselves trailing early when Patri Guijarro opened the scoring for the hosts.
Alexia Putellas then netted twice, either side of the half-time whistle, before Claudia Pina completed Spain’s ruthless display.
The emphatic victory propels Spain to the top of the group, drawing them level with England on 12 points after five matches played.
The heavy loss for Sarina Wiegman’s squad means the race for direct entry into the tournament in Brazil will now go down to the wire.
England must secure a result against Ukraine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, while Spain face Iceland in their final group fixture.
In the absence of the injured Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh captained England, having an early cross comfortably gathered by Cata Coll.
However, Spain enjoyed the early share of possession and Lucia Corrales sent a menacing cross in for Putellas, but her header bounced past the post.
Putellas hit a curling delivery into Edna Imade which Hannah Hampton was able to save before England had an opportunity, with Walsh blasting an effort from outside of the area narrowly over the crossbar.
Spain continued to control proceedings, taking the lead 19 minutes in when Guijarro weaved into the middle of the pitch from the left flank and from around 25 yards out, the Barcelona midfielder slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Hampton held Imade’s header as the hosts looked to quickly strike and the England goalkeeper was called into action again to comfortably hold Putellas’ effort after the Spanish midfielder had been played into space on the edge of the box.
Lauren James’ cross flew across the face of goal, but Spain took charge again as Vicky Lopez surged into the area and Lotte Wubben-Moy intervened.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 37th minute when Mariona Caldentey threaded the ball into Putellas, who fired home despite Hampton getting a hand to the shot.
England had an opportunity after the break when Georgia Stanway blasted a strike past the post, but Spain soon extended their lead further in the 55th minute.
Putellas had an initial effort well stopped on the goal line by Lucy Bronze, but the ball bounced off the post and the Spain forward reacted quickly to pounce and stab home her second of the night.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure as Hampton made a stunning save to tip away Guijarro’s header and Lopez blasted an effort into the side-netting.
England searched for a response, with Alex Greenwood’s cross palmed away by Coll and the ball fell to Bronze, but her attempt was blocked.
Substitute Aitana Bonmati made an instant impact from the bench to set up Pina, who fired the ball into the bottom corner in the 78th minute.
Bonmati nearly added to a ruthless Spanish performance in the final minutes after she forced Hampton into a save at her near post.
