***I am writing this a week after the England v. Spain match. Been busy, stuff to do. You know how it is.***

I did not miss the kick-off last Wednesday night! No mad dash ahead the game for me that time.

However, if the departure times from King Cross had been a tad more accommodating, I would have been at Wembley to watch England versus Spain. Despite my desire to be at the match, I could not 100% guarantee getting out of Wembley and across London in time to catch the last (reasonably affordable) train to Yorkshire. The alternative of travelling by coach for the princely sum of just £5.00 did not appeal to me. Oh, the price sure did but not the time the coach takes to meander its way up the country. I’m fine with our old chum Odysseus taking a decade to get home after leaving Troy but I did not want my journey back from Wembley to take quite that long. (Fact check: the coach journey from Victoria is only around eight hours instead of Odysseus’s ten year trek. Our Greek hero would, no doubt, have bitten both your hands off for such a short homeward stroll. But not me, eight hours is a far too long to be sat on a coach.)

Instead, by the time Ella Toone rolled the ball off the centre-spot to start the match I was in my chair with a cuppa beside me. My slippa-sox were keeping my tootsies cosy and I’d watched the teams lining up in the tunnel before escorting their mascots onto the pitch. I’d caught the national anthems, too. I had no worries at all about racing across the capital. Everything was well.

Everything except my nerves. Following recent performances from the Lionesses, I was quite anxious as to how we would fare against Spain. After the previous Friday’s – let’s be honest – disappointing, disjointed and dispiriting display in Portugal, I feared the worst for our girls against the World Champions.

When the fixtures for the Nations League matches were announced, I had hoped for four points from the opening two games. All six would have been lovely but that was never going to happen really. We achieved those four points but not in the manner I anticipated; I expected us to beat Portugal and to scrape a draw with the Spaniards. Our home advantage of playing the tie at Wembley being why I thought a draw against Aitana Bonmati, Lucia Garcia and Co would be possible.

But, as it was – and most of you readers will already know this – The Lionesses only went and beat Spain 1-0. This was a terrific display from England’s roses and each Lioness played magnificently. Spain, though persistent throughout the game, fell a little short. They were a constant threat and created many opportunities to threaten us but the England players were steadfast in attitude, strong in defence and stylish on the attack. It looked to me like we had learned lessons from the Portugal game and the players were determined to showcase why they are still a top team. They hunkered down when required and hustled and harried in the midfield when the need arose. Our girls bloomed at Wembley.

I confess to letting out a triumphant “YES!” when the final whistle went. Poor Basil (see #04 “How Much Is That Doggy?”), the little chap seemed quite shocked by my ecstatic outburst.

Toone and Clinton were solid; their understanding and form for United helping The Lionesses to compete in midfield. Lauren James – a player who I sometimes think could rely on her teammates a little more than she does – was excellent. Her attacking prowess was a constant threat and she tracked back to great effect. A last ditch tackle in the box from her was timed to precision, a nanosecond later and she would have given away a penalty. James showed composure and maturity; she too seems to be learning from her mistakes.

Hannah Hampton replaced Mary Earps in goal for this fixture; I must confess to be slightly worried by the change at No.1. But what do I know about football? HH played superbly and proved to be an inspired choice by the England head coach.

Chloe Kelly came on in the second half to earn her 50^th senior cap. Her move to the Gunners in order to remain part of Sarina Wiegman’s plans seems to have paid off.

Our goal came in the 33^rd minute. It was a “bibbly-bobbly” messy sort of goal. Brilliant in its creation and bonkers in its execution.

Brilliant: Ella Toone and Grace Clinton showed their club form and understanding to devastating effect. Clinton, receiving a pass from Niamh Charles on England’s left-hand flank, played a quick and simple one-two with Toone (a One-Toone, perhaps??). The Man United youngster took one touch, saw Alessia Russo run off her marker and laid the ball into the feet of the Arsenal forward. Russo turned the defender brilliantly, created space and powered forward into the box before taking a shot.

Bonkers: Russo’s shot cannoned off a defender’s foot, the ball looped up and off the knee of a second defender who was (I think) attempting to head it but misjudged the ball’s trajectory. The ball missed the foot of Lauren James as she stretched to get a touch and then bounced between the Spanish goalkeeper and two further defenders. Happily Manchester City’s Jess Park arrived at the same time to divert the ball into the goal.

Brilliant or bonkers? Who cares? I was simply happy for any goal that beat the World Champions. And for not having to make a mad scramble to catch the last train from Troy King X.