A surprising Georgia Stanway strike noticed England come from a purpose right down to seal their place within the Euro 2022 semi finals with a 2-1 further time victory over Spain.
The Lionesses had trailed till the 84th minute after Esther Gonzalez had given Spain the lead shortly after the break, earlier than Ella Toone popped up with a late equaliser to ship the sport to further time.
Stanway then produced a second of sheer brilliance to ebook England’s place in a fourth consecutive main event semi final.
The pre-match amble had involved whether or not both aspect would negotiate their ball taking part in rules, and it was Spain who noticed extra possession and territory within the first interval. Fullbacks Ona Batlle and Olga Carmona did a very efficient job pinning the normally harmful Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp again into their very own half.
However, La Roja had been starved of clear minimize alternatives; Mariona Caldentey’s effort from the sting of the field straight into the arms of Mary Earps was both aspect’s solely shot heading in the right direction of the opening 45.
England step by step grew into the sport, and Ellen White had the ball at the back of the web 10 minutes earlier than the break, accumulating the afters of a Hemp set piece and slamming dwelling, however the purpose was dominated out for offside.
Finally discovering a approach by way of the Spanish backline appeared to roar the Lionesses into life, and England completed the half within the ascendency.
Athenea Del Castillo was launched at half time to breathe some aptitude into the Spanish ahead line- and her affect was nearly on the spot. Within 10 minutes of coming into the fray, she had skipped previous Daly and fed Esther Gonzalez, who discovered the underside nook as Spain took the lead.
The Real Madrid winger continued to provide Daly the run round, and solely a fingertip save from Earps prevented her from doubling Spain’s benefit after jinxing previous the England left again.
England’s finest sighting of purpose was carved out by a substitute of their very own. Chloe Kelly’s in-swinging supply brought about chaos within the Spain backline, Georgia Stanway and Toone each noticed efforts blocked earlier than Hemp fired over.
The England equaliser got here six minutes from time – and once more it was the substitutes within the thick of the motion. Hemp’s cross was received within the air by Alessia Russo, and Toone was quickest to react to poke dwelling – to roars of aid across the Amex.
Into further time the sport went, and it appeared it will want a set piece, a slice of luck or a sprinkling of magic to settle proceedings – in the long run it was the latter. Stanway drove magnificently on the Spain backline and despatched a surprising effort from the sting of the field swerving previous the outstretched finger suggestions of Sandra Paños to cue delirium in Brighton.
GK: Mary Earps – 7/10 – Bravely collected a teasing Carmona supply within the early exchanges and made a prime save to forestall Del Castillo from doubling Spain’s lead. Cool beneath stress with the ball at her toes.
RB: Lucy Bronze – 7/10 – Looked one in every of England’s most potent attacking threats along with her bursts ahead from deep within the first half. Used her power and energy to win the ball again effectively on a few events
CB: Leah Williamson – 7/10 – Strode out of defence confidently on a variety of events, received in the way in which of a purpose certain Cardona effort and made an vital header clearance within the first half.
CB: Millie Bright – 7/10 – Swept up magnificently to thwart a few probably harmful Spain forays ahead. Opted to drop in direction of the purpose line as against sticking with Gonzalez for Spain’s opener. Made a giant block in further time to ship a Sarriegi effort narrowly previous the put up.
LB: Rachel Daly – 4/10 – An actual recreation of two halves; stored Cardona so quiet within the first half that the Spain winger was withdrawn on the break, however then overwhelmed by Del Castillo within the construct as much as the opening purpose and had a torrid time of it within the second interval.
CM: Keira Walsh – 9/10 – Typically exemplary in possession and shielded the again 4 actually successfully along with her studying of the sport. Won so many crunch 50:50 tackles and pivotal to England’s equaliser along with her endurance and resolution making.
CM: Georgia Stanway – 8/10 – Ran her coronary heart out, thundered into each problem. Drove England ahead, discovered Hemp within the construct as much as the Lionesses’ equaliser earlier than netting an absolute fantastic thing about her personal.
CM: Fran Kirby – 5/10 – The quietest she’s been all event, unable to have any actual attacking affect on proceedings. Replaced simply after the hour.
RW: Beth Mead – 5/10 – Had to place in an even bigger defensive shift than she has been accustomed to this event, monitoring the marauding Carmona. Quiet going ahead, and England had been all of the poorer for it. Subbed off earlier than the hour mark.
ST: Ellen White – 5/10 – Glanced a Mead free kick over the bar early within the first half and noticed a purpose dominated out for offside. A bodily presence, put in a giant shift however finally stored quiet earlier than being changed earlier than the hour.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 6/10 – Often discovered herself receiving the ball along with her again to purpose and struggled to get on the flip to cost on the Spain backline. An enormous resolution to maintain her on the pitch on the expense of Mead, however repaid her supervisor’s religion by offering the cross for England’s equaliser.
SUB: Chloe Kelly – 7/10 – Made an actual affect after her introduction, providing England one thing totally different.
SUB: Alessia Russo – 8/10 – Won the header to arrange England’s equaliser. Really efficient along with her physicality.
SUB: Ella Toone – 8/10 – Off the bench to internet England’s equaliser, latching onto Russo’s header and slotting dwelling.
SUB: Alex Greenwood – 7/10 – Did a significantly better defensive job on the beforehand devastating Del Castillo.
SUB: Jill Scott – N/A
SUB: Nikita Parris – N/A
GK: Sandra Paños – 6/10 – Hardly had a save to make and could not do an amazing deal about both England purpose.
RB: Ona Batlle – 8/10 – Had a very bodily battle with Hemp, bringing her down on a few events. Nullified the England extensive menace beautifully.
CB: Irene Paredes – 6/10 – Robust, serving to hold White very quiet. Struggled extra towards the physicality of Russo.
CB: Mapi Leon – 7/10 – Went into the ebook for a cynical, tactical foul on Stanway in direction of the tip of the primary half. Solid defensively, received a lot within the air, nice with the ball at her toes,
LB: Olga Carmona – 8/10 – One of 4 modifications made to the Spain aspect, did an excellent defensive job on Mead after which Hemp, by no means permitting both England winger to show. Tore ahead at each alternative within the first half.
CM: Patricia Guijarro – 7/10 – Did the easy issues very effectively. Offered the again 4 safety, calm in possession.
CM: Teresa Abelleira – 6/10 – One of the 4 new modifications made to the Spain beginning XI by Vilda. Playing as one in every of two sitting midfielders, sturdy in possession, changed with 19 remaining.
CM: Aitana Bonmati – 7/10 – Playing as probably the most superior midfielder, so intelligent along with her motion and so good in tight areas.
RW: Marta Cardona – 5/10 – In from the beginning having netted the winner towards Denmark, volleyed a half probability extensive early within the first half. Replaced at half time.
ST: Esther Gonzalez – 8/10 – In for Garcia up prime. Pulled away from her marker and confidently discovered the underside nook to provide Spain the lead.
LW: Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 – Recorded Spain’s first effort heading in the right direction after 16 minutes, chopping inside and firing straight at Earps. Teamed up effectively with Carmona.
SUB: Athenea Del Castillo – 8/10 – An impressed substitution, skipping previous Daly and placing it on a plate for Gonzalez inside 10 minutes of her introduction. Faded barely after Greenwood entered the fray.
SUB: Laia Alexandri – 6/10
SUB: Sheila Garcia – 6/10
SUB: Amaiur Sarriegi – 6/10
