England women snatch victory from jaws of defeat to reach Euro 2022 semifinals

BRIGHTON: England rallied from the brink of elimination to beat Spain 2-1 after extra time and reach the semifinals of Euro 2022 thanks to Georgia Stanway’s stunning strike.

Ether Gonzalez’s opener had the hosts heading for an early exit, but Ella Toone rescued the Lionesses six minutes from the end of normal time before Stanway’s winner took England into the last four of a fourth consecutive major tournament.

Sarina Wiegman’s side will face Sweden or Belgium in the last four on Tuesday.

England were given a boost pre-match with the return of Wiegman to the touchline after she tested negative for coronavirus earlier in the day.

The Lionesses had everything their own way in the group stage as they plundered 14 goals without reply against Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland.

However, despite their own struggles to reach the knockout stages, Spain were a big step up in class.

La Roja had been pre-tournament favorites before injuries to reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and all-time top goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso rocked their preparation.

Jorge Vilda’s side suffered their first defeat since 2019 to Germany in the group stage, but even in that game dominated possession of the ball.

Spain’s ability to keep the ball off the hosts frustrated England and another sell out crowd of 29,000 in Brighton for the vast majority of the first 90 minutes.

But they again struggled to turn their possession into goals.

Despite being on the back foot, the home side could have led before the break as Ellen White smashed a loose ball from a free-kick into the roof of the net only to be flagged offside.

England have still never lost in now 18 games since Wiegman took charge in September.

But they have never come so close