“We just didn’t play good enough,” England head coach Sarina Wiegman said simply. “And we couldn’t step up any more.”The UEFA World Cup qualifying match was supposed to be when England set out a formidable case to challenge Spain at next summer’s tournament. Avoiding defeat at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in their penultimate qualifier would have seen them seal their spot in Brazil, becoming one of the first European nations to do so — and, in doing so, condemning Spain to the play-offs and stamping their authority on this rivalry.Instead, that honor went to Germany after their convincing 2-0 win over Norway in Group A4, while England was left stunned 4-0 against the reigning champions. Midfielder Patri Guijarro’s opening goal in the 19th minute was just reward for a Spain side who had seized full control. Alexia Putellas scored either side of halftime before Claudia Pina added a fourth in the 78th minute.England had no answer. They mustered only seven touches in Spain’s box and three shots, with none on target, to Spain’s 21.They have suffered setbacks under Wiegman before, but have not been dominated like this. According to Opta, Friday’s loss was the Lionesses’ heaviest defeat since losing 6-2 to Germany in the 2009 European Championship final, and their heaviest without scoring since a 4-0 loss to Germany in September 2003.“I expected a very tight game of course, a very competitive game,” Wiegman said, “but I think there was a difference tonight, so that’s of course really disappointing and that hurts.”Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas scored twice in her side’s dominating win over England. (Rafa Babot / Getty Images)It was a generational poor defensive performance, in which Spain were at their fluid attacking best and England’s feted defensive resilience seemed to evaporate.Having beaten Spain on penalties in last summer’s European Championship final and again in the reverse World Cup qualifier at Wembley in April, it is also a shock to the system.England can still top their qualifying group if results go their way on Tuesday against Ukraine and in Spain’s game against Iceland. However, goal differential is in Spain’s favor, 13-5 heading into the final day. Even if England do not top the group and earn one of the four UEFA qualifying spots offered this international window, they will have the opportunity to qualify through the play-offs, where another seven teams from the confederation will qualify.So, in terms of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup, this game is not necessarily a cause for panic. But in terms of winning it the tournament, which is unequivocally England’s goal, it is.