Lauren James was compelled off late within the first half of the Euro 2025 remaining, the England star withdrawn after Mariona Caldentey had given world champions Spain a 1-0 lead in Basel.
Caldentey headed Spain into the lead within the twenty fifth minute, with reigning European champions England punished for failing to take some gilt-edged probabilities within the early levels.
And issues acquired worse for the Lionesses quarter-hour later as Chelsea ahead James limped off.
James had been a doubt for the ultimate due to an ankle harm, and her sport got here to a untimely finish after she went to floor in discomfort contained in the England penalty space.
Chloe Kelly got here on to interchange James, hoping to have the identical influence as she did within the Euro 2022 remaining, when she scored the extra-time winner towards Germany.
Kelly, who alongside teenager Michelle Agyemang has been instrumental off the bench for England on this match, shortly offered vitality from the left flank, dragging an effort broad shortly earlier than half-time because the Lionesses sought to supply one other fightback after coming from behind to knock out each Sweden and Italy en path to the ultimate.