The England captain, Steph Houghton, scored a fine free-kick as the Lionesses defeated Spain 2-1 in a friendly at Guadalajara’s Estadio Municipal Pedro Escartin.

As part of preparations for the Euro 2017 finals, Mark Sampson’s team were playing a friendly double-header against two European rivals, which started with a 0-0 draw against France in Doncaster.

Karen Carney’s deflected cross put England ahead on 14 minutes.

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It was soon 2-0 to the visitors when, in the 17th minute, Manchester City captain Houghton curled a 20-yard free-kick up over the wall and down into the bottom right corner.

Spain, however, quickly reduced the deficit when the Barcelona defender Marta Torrejon, who had earlier conceded the own goal, netted from her own well-taken free-kick. Nikita Parris went close to further extending England’s lead when she just failed to connect with a cross from Gemma Davison.

In the second half, Parris, who is on loan at Manchester City from Everton Ladies, headed straight at the keeper while Jordan Nobbs saw a late long-range effort come back off the woodwork.

Spain almost levelled in stoppage time when a volley from Vicky Losada, of Arsenal Ladies, was blocked by a diving header from the Notts County midfielder Jade Moore.