Leah Williamson admits England failed to produce their best in defeat to Spain

England captain Leah Williamson felt her side were “slightly off” during their 2-1 defeat to world champions Spain in Barcelona.

The Lionesses missed out on a place in the Women’s Nations League finals after Claudia Pina’s brace earned Spain top spot in Group A3.

Alessia Russo had put England ahead on her 50th international appearance, despite Spanish players protesting that Salma Paralluelo had been fouled in the build-up.

But second-half substitute Pina proved to be the difference with two goals in the space of 10 minutes booking Spain’s place in October’s semi-finals.

England had come into the game on the back of a 6-0 win over Portugal and with the European Championship starting next month, Williamson believes there are “tweaks” to be made.

“I think in the second half they pressed a bit higher, we struggled, we couldn’t keep the ball as well as we had done in the first half. We didn’t really have any real threat,” Williamson told ITV Sport.

“Under that much pressure against a top side, sometimes that’s what happens, they get to you and win the game.

“I think especially first half was a great display, but for the most part we looked solid and we felt solid.

“We feel good, there’s just tweaks that need to be made and it’s disappointing because that’s a competitive fixture and that’s an important campaign to us going forward with rankings and seedings.

“I think you saw maybe the best of us the previous game and just slightly off it today.”

England boss Sarina Wiegman believes her team showed signs of threat throughout the first half.

“Very intense game. Of course we know that they’re very tight on the ball,” she added.

“I think we did well, after the first half they had a little more of the ball, but saw we had the ball a lot too.

“I think we could’ve been a bit tighter and patient in the first half too, but you could see where we could harm them. I think a couple more times we would not have been offside or play a little quicker behind or switch play quicker, we could’ve harmed them even more.

“Second half they started really quick, they did something different and pressed really high. We had some trouble to get out of the press and keep the ball.

“Of course they brought Pina in and she was very secure with her shots.”

England’s attention now turns to Euro 2025 and Wiegman is set to announce her squad for the tournament this week.

The team play Jamaica in a friendly on June 29 before their Euros campaign begins against France in Zurich on July 5.

Wiegman added: “What you’ve seen this week is that we had a very good week. Players coming back from injuries, players fighting for positions or minutes or selection and I think that’s very positive.

“Some will keep training because they need to train, others will take a couple of days off. Then we move forward and come together get ready for Jamaica, then for France.”