Drama and dreams come true for England Lionesses

Winning 8-0 is fabulous fun, the flurry of goals and carefree viewing, but coming from behind to secure victory on a night of incredible drama is what football is all about. 

England delivered a pulsating evening in the Women’s Euro 2022 quarter-final against an outstanding Spain team. 

This was always going to be the biggest test yet for the Lionesses and Spain did not disappoint, dominating possession in the first half and blunting all of England’s usually potent attacking prowess. 

Manager Sarina Wiegman clearly galvanised her troops at the interval and England came out full of energy, played higher up the pitch and looked to disrupt the Spanish. But, the suckerpunch came from a sharp finish on the turn by Esther Gonzalez. 

England were staring at elimination from their own tournament and the crowd tension from inside the Brighton stadium was transferred to sitting rooms across the nation. 

Wiegman shuffled her pack, England had more thrust in forward areas and, despite being denied a clear penalty for a foul on Lauren Hemp, they found a leveller six minutes from time. 

Chloe Kelly gave us renewed energy out wide but it was Hemp who delivered a delightful floating cross for Alessia Russo to win the header and Ella Toone’s perfectly-timed run was matched by a composed volley into the bottom corner. 

The nation went wild and momentum was with England.  

Keira Walsh was sublime in midfield, what a player, Lucy Bronze was her rampaging self down the right and the central defensive unit of Millie Bright and captain Leah Williamson were immense. 

Five minutes into extra time, Georgia Stanway turned into some rare midfield space, took a couple of strides forward and the Spanish defence, led by the outstanding Mapi Leon, retreated.  

Stanway pulled the trigger from 25 yards and time briefly stopped as the ball arrowed into the top corner. It was a dream goal and a memorable moment. 

Spain piled forward in search of an equaliser but England refused to buckle. A fantastic game and it is now on to either Sweden or Belgium in the semi-finals next Tuesday.