Spain turned Friday night into a statement and made Tuesday matter even more. Alexia Putellas scored twice as Spain beat England 4-0 in Mallorca, moved to the top of the group and put direct qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup back within reach.
That leaves Spain needing one more win, and it has to come away to Iceland on Tuesday in the sixth and final group match. If Spain wins in Reykjavik, it books its place in Brazil without needing help elsewhere; if it does not, England can still take the direct route by beating Ukraine at home in the other match being played at the same time.
Putellas led the charge against England with two goals, while Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina also scored in a result that gave Spain the control it wanted heading into the last round of games. Spain had already beaten Iceland 3-0 in Castellon on March 3 in the teams' first meeting in the group, but this trip is a different test entirely. Sonia Bermudez called Iceland a very difficult, very complicated, very tough opponent at home, and said the side is dangerous in the air, in duels, on second balls and in transition.
Bermudez also pointed out the part that hangs over the match in Reykjavik: Spain has never won there. That is what gives Tuesday its edge. Spain can finish the job on its own, but only by doing something it has not done before in Iceland, where the pressure will be heavier because the reward is immediate and the margin for error is gone.
Spain would have taken these options before the window began, and now it has them in front of it. The question is not whether the team is in position; it is whether it can turn a strong Friday night into the result that settles the group before England's game even ends.
