Sarina Wiegman’s tactical changes spark a thrilling 2-1 win over Spain, propelling the Lionesses into the last four.
England’s women delivered a stirring 2-1 victory over Spain after extra time, advancing to the semi-finals of the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship. Substitute Ella Toone levelled the score late in regular time, and Georgia Stanway fired a stunning 96th-minute winner to secure a memorable comeback that defied expectations and set up a clash with either Sweden or Belgium in Sheffield next week.
The result marks a defining moment for the Lionesses, a victory that not only pushes them closer to European glory but also has the potential to ignite further growth in women’s football across the nation.
For the first 84 minutes, the match followed a familiar script for the England team, as they were outplayed by a technically superior Spain. The Spanish side, led by Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, controlled possession and displayed their trademark slick passing game. Despite England’s best efforts, they were outclassed in every area, with Spain taking the lead through a composed 55th-minute finish by Esther Gonzalez.
Spain’s attacking move began when Athenea Del Castillo danced past Rachel Daly in the box, cutting the ball back for Gonzalez to score from close range. England struggled to break down their opponents and could only manage one shot on target until the dramatic final moments.
However, as the match approached its dying moments, England found new life. The breakthrough came from a well-worked set-piece. Toone, on as a substitute, latched onto a precise knockdown from Alessia Russo to volley home the equaliser, sending the Amex Stadium into raptures.
With Spain tiring, England seized control, and in the 96th minute, Stanway delivered a match-winning strike from 20 yards, firing a powerful shot across goalkeeper Sandra Paños to seal the victory.
The dramatic turnaround is a testament to the resilience of the Lionesses, overturning a one-goal deficit and rewriting the usual narrative of English teams struggling against more technically polished opponents at the business end of a tournament. England’s thrilling comeback is a stark contrast to the more typical fate of English teams in similar situations, where a lack of depth or tactical nous often leads to a collapse under pressure.
The turning point in the match came when Sarina Wiegman, with England trailing 1-0, made a bold decision to substitute her three most likely sources of a goal. Off came Beth Mead, the tournament’s top scorer; Ellen White, the Lionesses’ record goal-scorer; and playmaker Fran Kirby, who had contributed to key goals earlier in the competition.
In their place came Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, and Ella Toone, with the match hanging in the balance. Wiegman’s gamble paid off handsomely, as Russo’s header laid the ball off for Toone to volley in the equaliser, igniting the crowd. Had the substitutes not made an impact, questions would surely have been asked about Wiegman’s decisions, but instead, the change was hailed as another masterstroke from the Dutch manager, showcasing her tactical brilliance and England’s incredible strength in depth.
While Stanway and Toone will rightly dominate the headlines, the standout performance came from England’s centre-back Millie Bright. The Chelsea defender was a rock at the heart of the defence, playing one of her finest matches in an England shirt. Bright repeatedly thwarted Spain’s attacking threats, showing immense resilience and composure under pressure.
England’s defence has been one of the highlights of their campaign, with Esther Gonzalez’s goal marking the first they’ve conceded in four matches. Wiegman’s decision to move captain Leah Williamson into the defensive line, breaking up Bright’s partnership with Alex Greenwood, continues to pay off, with Bright's performances proving invaluable to the team’s success.
With their place in the semi-finals secured, England will now look to build on this remarkable victory and take another step towards Euro 2022 glory.
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Pic of the week: Sunset at margate beach
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields