Stanway to heaven
Piledriver from Georgia fires England into semis
GEORGIA STANWAY’S rocket sent England into the Euro 2022 semi-finals last night as they came from behind to beat Spain after extra time in Brighton.
Esther Gonzalez had put the Spanish in front on 54 minutes, and with six minutes to go Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses could see their hopes of Euro glory on home soil going up in smoke.
But Ella Toone bundled in from close range to send the match to extra time, and Stanway’s long-range thunderbolt sealed England’s place in the last four, « where they will face Sweden or Belgium on Tuesday at Bramall Lane.
IT had all been a little too easy for England in this tournament. Three wins from three in their group stage with 14 scored and none conceded. The Lionesses were due a test and Spain provided it in this quarter-final tie. When they took the lead in the 54th minute, it looked as if England’s summer would be ending early. That would have been disastrous.
After reaching three straight semi-finals anything less would have been a failure. But with the heat turned up, the Lionesses responded. Sarina Wiegman had beaten Covid to make it here and there was no chance of her side giving up the fight here. Ella Toone equalised in the 84th minute to drag them back into the game before Georgia Stanway’s stunning strike won it in extra time.
Spain exposed weaknesses in England’s defence and if they want to win this tournament, they will need to play a lot better than they did last night. But winning is a habit for this England team, even when they are not at their best.
Wiegman’s substitutes proved crucial. Toone, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly all injected energy into the attack as Spain tired while Alex Greenwood’s introduction for Rachel Daly shored up the defence. Wiegman’s dilemma is whether those substitutes deserve a start in the semi-final, but that is a problem for next week.
The day had started so well when it was confirmed that Wiegman had returned a negative Covid result and would be back on the touchline. The build-up had been dominated by whether the Lionesses boss would or wouldn’t make it to Brighton after testing positive on Friday.
But while Wiegman made it to the Amex, many fans did not. This was supposed to be a sell-out but severe train delays caused by fires and cows on the line prevented hundreds of supporters from attending.
The odds were in England’s favour going into this game. Spain have not reached the semifinals since 1997 and have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage at the last two European Championships.
Additionally, Wiegman has a settled starting XI while Spain boss Jorge Vilda chopped and changed his team throughout the group stage. It appears that Vilda has not been sure of his best team and his tinkering has attracted criticism. They looked disjointed in their group matches with players playing out of position, in contrast to the organised England.
This was also a Spain side missing their captain and star player Alexia Putellas as well as record goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso.
But there was still a fear going into this that things could finally fall into place for Vilda’s side just at the right time and that the Lionesses would be on the receiving end.
Spain were always going to give England’s defence the biggest test they had faced so far and, as expected, they dominated possession in the first half. But as had happened in their group matches, they did little with it.
There was a long-range shot from Mariona Caldentey that Mary Earps dealt with easily and a few dangerous crosses that England could have defended better. But it was the hosts who first had a meaningful chance and the ball in the net, before an offside flag was raised to deny the Lionesses.
Lauren Hemp’s free-kick was eventually turned in by Ellen White at the back post but both her and Lucy Bronze, who had been interfering with play, were beyond the last defender.
To go in goalless at half-time was new territory for England, who had led at the break in all three of their group games. And so was going behind, which they did nine minutes into the second half. It was a classic Spain goal with pass after pass before a precise finish. Aitana Bonmati played in Atheana Del Castillo down the right, who skipped past Daly easily before cutting back to Gonzalez. The striker took one touch before placing the ball into the corner.
In attack, England continued to struggle. After being so clinical earlier in the tournament, it looked as if their goals had dried up. But finally a breakthrough came in the 84th minute. Hemp’s cross was headed on by Russo and finished perfectly by Toone. Spain tried to claim there had been a foul from Hemp and their bench erupted, with substitute Maria Rodriguez booked for kicking over the water bottle stand. No foul was given and the goal stood as extra time beckoned.
The game had been crying out for a moment of magic and it came six minutes into the first half. Stanway drove at the Spain defence and as she reached the edge of the box, cries of ‘shoot’ rang out from the crowd.
So often players respond by blazing an effort over. But after feinting to pass, Stanway fired a soaring shot into the top left corner. Spain continued to knock on the door but England stood firm, with the excellent Millie Bright blocking all that came her way as chants of ‘it’s coming home’ rang out. ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Earps 6.5; Bronze 6, BRIGHT 8, Williamson 6, Daly 5 (Greenwood 82min); Walsh 6.5 (Scott 116), Stanway 7.5; Mead 6 (Kelly 58, 7), Kirby 5 (Toone 64, 7), Hemp 6 (Parris 117); White 6 (Russo 59, 7).
Scorers: Toone 84, Stanway 96.
Booked: Greenwood.
Manager: Sarina Wiegman 6.
Referee: Stephanie Frappart (France) 6. Attendance: 28,994.