Defender Millie Bright is the latest player to hail the depth of the England squad.
It has very much been a squad effort since Sarina Wiegman became the new head coach of the Lionesses last September with her substitutes so often grabbing the headlines for game-changing moments.
Those players introduced from the bench again made huge contributions last night as England defeated Spain 2-1 after extra-time in Brighton in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 quarter-finals. Alessia Russo played in Ella Toone to score the equalising goal for the Lionesses with just six minutes left to play. That strike saved England’s tournament and they went on to win the game in extra-time through a stunning effort from Georgia Stanway.
When speaking in the post-match press conference, Bright said that the depth of the squad is unbelievable.
“I’m glad that we can demonstrate it (squad depth) because it is what we have talked about all along up until now. Our squad is unbelievable, any player could start or come on and make the difference,” she said.
“Our subs have took us to the next level whenever they have come on and it’s times like that when you need them to come on and bring more energy. I thought the subs that came on were incredible. In a game that is so mentally and physically tough, they really do boost you.
“The fans were also incredible again, they really do boost you throughout the game. The fans mean everything to us so we will keep fighting all the way.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman made a dramatic return to the dugout after posting a negative COVID-19 test just hours before the game. She missed the Northern Ireland game on Friday with the virus and Bright went on to say that the team were prepared for her absence again last night if she had have been unable to attend.
She said “You always want your manager pitchside with everything that she brings to the game but we were prepared to not have her there as well, we were prepared to do the same job. It’s always nice to have her on the sidelines and it does make a little bit of a difference.
“Our matchday preparation was all about the team, we just got to the game and had to get on with it. It was touch and go but our job as players was getting the job done and being prepared whether Sarina was present or not and that’s what we did.”
England will now face Sweden or Belgium in the semi-finals in Sheffield on Tuesday.