England came from behind to defeat Spain 2-1 after extra-time in their UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 quarter-final in Brighton this evening.
As ever, Spain dominated possession and were the better team for large parts of the game but England were not to be defeated and a stirring end saw the host nation progress.
The first half was dominated by Spain who forced several saves from Mary Earps in the England goal while counterpart Sandra Paños had little to do. Against the run of play, Ellen White thought that she had the breakthrough for the Lionesses after 36 minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside and the first half remained goalless.
It took less than 10 minutes of the second half for Spain to make their dominance count when the ball was cut back to Esther González in front of goal. She slotted home to make it 0-1.
For the first time in the tournament, England found themselves behind. Sarina Wiegman responded by bringing on the fresh legs of Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo who were soon joined by Ella Toone. For perhaps the first time in the game, it was the Spanish who looked to be tiring.
With less than half an hour to go, Spain should have doubled their lead as Athenea del Castillo crossed from the right wing. The ball looked to be heading in at the far post but Earps got a hand to it to keep it out. With less than 20 minutes remaining, England had their first shot on target but it was easily saved by Paños.
In the 84th minute, substitute Toone finally unlocked the Spanish goal as she scored from close range, the ball nodded down to her by fellow substitute Russo. The Spanish players believed that there was a foul in the build up to the goal, they were rattled and their usually precise passing began to go astray. The two sides were tied at 1-1 at the end of normal time and extra-time was needed to separate them.
With five minutes gone in extra-time, Georgia Stanway ran at the Spanish defence and took a shot from the edge of the area which beat Paños whose outstretched hand could not reach the ball. The second goal seemed to galvanise the Spanish and their play improved but England remained solid and saw the game out to book their place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win.
England will face Sweden or Belgium in the last-four at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.