JODIE JOY FOR LION-ACES
Now England face Dutch
ENGLAND’S Lionesses backed up boss Mark Sampson’s fighting talk to reach the Euro 2017 semi-finals.
Arsenal striker Jodie Taylor handed England their first win over France in 20 attempts spread over the last 43 years.
Taylor’s fifth goal of the tournament has made her the clear favourite to win the Golden Boot award.
More importantly for her team, it earned a last-four showdown against host nation Holland on Thursday night.
Taylor said: “It was fortunate the goalkeeper went down early and she got a hand to it but I’m glad it went in. I didn’t hit it as cleanly as I would have liked.
“The important thing is it went in. With the quality of France all they needed was one chance. We had to play the game out and did that superbly.
“I can’t wait for the semi-finals. We all said we would love to play Holland in the tournament. We will relish playing the hosts so bring it on.” But England had to ride their luck at times in this quarter-final.
When France’s Marie-Laure Delie stole in behind Steph Houghton to collect a Camille Abily pass, the striker to somehow scuffed her shot wide. The same pattern continued after the break and were lucky that Delie again failed to make the most of the chance.
In the 54th minute, striker Eugenie Le Sommer wasted a good chance by heading wide.
And six minutes later England took the lead.
Racing on to a Lucy Bronze pass, Taylor glided into the penalty area before striking a low angled drive just inside the far post. Bronze was involved crucially at the other end moments later, heading a Kadidiatou Diani 20-yard drive off the line.
England, who will be without the suspended Jill Scott for the semis, saw off some late pressure to clinch a famous victory.
Skipper Steph Houghton said: “It’s been a long time coming. We soaked up pressure and we knew all we needed was a goal.
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