Euro 2022: How England secured a dramatic quarter-final win against Spain

England’s quarter-final encounter against Spain was the blockbuster it promised to be, and more.

A 120 minute thriller between two Euro 2022 favourites had everything from mesmerising football, to drama, to an unexpected comeback. In a moment where it seemed the Lionesses would be knocked out, they managed to turn the tide and book a ticket in the final four.

England had to suffer during the game. Spain, as expected, had lots of the ball, and their pressing made it difficult for England to build out from the back.

The dynamic movement of Mariona Caldentey made her incredibly difficult to mark. She successfully dragged Lucy Bronze away from the wing, opening up space for Real Madrid’s Olga Carmona on the overlap on the flank.

Spanish fullbacks, Olga Carmona and Ona Battle, managed to neutralise Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead for large parts, rendering them ineffective.

Barcelona’s star midfielder, Aitana Bonmatí, had a sensational outing. She was omnipresent on the field and often came deep for the ball before carrying it forwards.

Her composure under pressure allowed Spain to easily navigate England’s pressure. She stuck close to Keira Walsh for almost the entire game, marking her out and reducing her influence on the game, especially during the opening 60 minutes.

The game had a choppy feel to it. There were 35 fouls in total, almost an even split between the sides, with Spain committing 18.

England had to toil, and toil they did.

If there was ever a game to showcase how in-game management can change results, this would be it.

A one-goal lead is the most dangerous in football, beause teams often start to play more conservatively to protect that lead. That’s exactly what Spain hinted at with their substitutions.

England