England 2-1 Spain: Lionesses into Euro 2022 semi-finals after dramatic extra-time comeback

2 years ago 20
ARTICLE AD BOX

Breaking news

England are through to the semi-finals of the European Women's Championship after coming from behind in dramatic fashion to beat pre-tournament favourites Spain in extra time.

Georgia Stanway sent the Amex Stadium into delirium when she thumped in the winner after Sarina Wiegman's side had trailed up until the 84th minute of normal time.

A rendition of Football's Coming Home broke out in the stands as Stanway sprinted over to the corner to celebrate, with England leading for the first time after 95 minutes.

Substitute Ella Toone had volleyed in Manchester United team-mate Alessia Russo's flick-on to cancel out Esther Gonzalez's opener, setting up a nervous ending in stoppage time.

England had momentum on their side and capitalised as the crowd in Brighton were on their feet, while Spain continued to threaten until the final whistle.

Eventual victory for the hosts ensured they reached a fourth successive women's major tournament semi-finals and their impressive unbeaten run under Wiegman extends to 18 matches.

The Lionesses are now one of the leading favourites to lift the trophy for the first time at Wembley on 31 July, but they must overcome either Sweden or Belgium in the last four to get there.

Spain leave the tournament at the quarter-final stage for the third successive time.

Momentum continues for nerveless England

England's tournament had played to perfection leading into this match, with the Lionesses topping their group having not lost a game or conceded a single goal.

Their first real test came days before the quarter-final as manager Wiegman tested positive for Covid and only confirmed her return to the dugout three hours before kick-off.

The nerves were to be tested again though, as Spain showed their quality in the first half and dominated until deservedly opening the scoring nine minutes after the break.

Athenea del Castillo, on as a substitute, got the better of full-back Rachel Daly and set-up Gonzalez to fire into the bottom corner, silencing a stunned home crowd.

But Wiegman immediately responded with a triple change - introducing Manchester United duo Russo and Toone, as well as Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly - and it proved to be inspired.

They made a crucial impact as Kelly reignited energy, while Toone and Russo combined for the equaliser to take the game to extra-time.

Stanway, who had been challenged by an impressive Spanish midfield for most of the match, saw space to exploit as she broke through the middle and did not hesitate before striking it powerfully into the top left corner for England's devastating winner.

A roar erupted inside the stadium - an apparent release of relief and adrenaline as supporters sensed this was the ultimate turning point in a game largely dominated by the visitors.

Spain continued to fight for an equaliser as Amaiur Sarriegi struck dangerously wide in extra time, but England held their nerve to keep their hopes of winning a first women's major tournament alive.

More to follow.

helpHow to play

Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection

England

  1. Squad number1Player nameEarps

  2. Squad number2Player nameBronze

  3. Squad number6Player nameBright

  4. Squad number8Player nameWilliamson

  5. Squad number3Player nameDaly

  6. Squad number10Player nameStanway

  7. Squad number4Player nameWalsh

  8. Squad number7Player nameMead

  9. Squad number14Player nameKirby

  10. Squad number11Player nameHemp

  11. Squad number9Player nameWhite

  1. Squad number5Player nameGreenwood

  2. Squad number16Player nameScott

  3. Squad number17Player nameParris

  4. Squad number18Player nameKelly

  5. Squad number20Player nameToone

  6. Squad number23Player nameRusso

Spain

  1. Squad number13Player namePaños

  2. Squad number2Player nameBatlle

  3. Squad number4Player nameParedes

  4. Squad number16Player nameMapi León

  5. Squad number19Player nameCarmona

  6. Squad number12Player namePatri Guijarro

  7. Squad number11Player nameCardona

  8. Squad number6Player nameBonmatí

  9. Squad number18Player nameAbelleira

  10. Squad number8Player nameMariona Caldentey

  11. Squad number9Player nameGonzález

  1. Squad number3Player nameAleixandri

  2. Squad number10Player namedel Castillo

  3. Squad number14Player nameSarriegi

  4. Squad number21Player nameGarcía

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Earps
  • 2Bronze
  • 6Bright
  • 8Williamson
  • 3DalySubstituted forGreenwoodat 82'minutesBooked at 119mins
  • 10Stanway
  • 4WalshSubstituted forScottat 116'minutes
  • 7MeadSubstituted forKellyat 58'minutes
  • 14KirbySubstituted forTooneat 64'minutes
  • 11HempSubstituted forParrisat 117'minutes
  • 9WhiteSubstituted forRussoat 59'minutes

Substitutes

  • 5Greenwood
  • 12Carter
  • 15Stokes
  • 16Scott
  • 17Parris
  • 18Kelly
  • 19England
  • 20Toone
  • 21Roebuck
  • 22Wubben-Moy
  • 23Russo

Spain

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 13Paños
  • 2Batlle
  • 4Paredes
  • 16León CebriánBooked at 45mins
  • 19Carmona
  • 12Guijarro Gutiérrez
  • 11CardonaSubstituted fordel Castilloat 45'minutes
  • 6Bonmatí
  • 18AbelleiraSubstituted forAleixandriat 71'minutes
  • 8Caldentey OliverSubstituted forSarriegiat 100'minutes
  • 9GonzálezSubstituted forGarcíaat 77'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Gallardo Núñez
  • 3Aleixandri
  • 5Andrés
  • 7Guerrero
  • 10del Castillo
  • 14Sarriegi
  • 15Ouahabi
  • 17García
  • 20Pereira
  • 21García
  • 22Pina
  • 23Rodríguez Rivero

Referee:Stéphanie Frappart

Attendance:28,994

Live Text

  1. Match ends, England 2, Spain 1.

  2. Second Half Extra Time ends, England 2, Spain 1.

  3. Mapi León (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Foul by Nikita Parris (England).

  5. Foul by Sheila García (Spain).

  6. Alex Greenwood (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Corner, Spain. Conceded by Alex Greenwood.

  8. Olga Carmona (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Foul by Nikita Parris (England).

  10. Alex Greenwood (England) is shown the yellow card.

  11. Foul by Ona Batlle (Spain).

  12. Chloe Kelly (England) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  13. Substitution, England. Nikita Parris replaces Lauren Hemp.

  14. Substitution, England. Jill Scott replaces Keira Walsh because of an injury.

  15. Foul by Laia Aleixandri (Spain).

  16. Alessia Russo (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  17. Foul by Olga Carmona (Spain).

  18. Chloe Kelly (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Corner, Spain. Conceded by Ella Toone.

  20. Attempt missed. Olga Carmona (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.

Banner Image Reading Around the BBC - Blue

Footer - Blue

Read Entire Article