Sarina Wiegman has qualified for the semi-finals of the European Championship with great difficulty with the football players of England. The national coach saw her team brush away a 1-0 deficit against Spain on Wednesday, and then strike in extra time: 2-1.
The host nation, favorites for the European title, appeared to be heading for elimination as Esther González gave Spain the lead in the 54th minute. Ella Toone equalized only six minutes before the end, after which Georgia Stanway was crowned match winner in extra time.
England impressed in the group stage by winning successively against Austria (1-0), Norway (8-0) and Northern Ireland (5-0). The result against Norway even meant the biggest win ever at a European championship.
Spain won in the group stage against Finland (4-1) and Denmark (1-0), but lost 2-0 against Germany. The team suffered a major blow just before the start of the tournament due to the loss of Alèxia Putellas, who sustained a serious knee injury.
Wiegman, who guided the Orange to the European title five years ago, will face the winner of Sweden-Belgium with England in the semifinals. The Netherlands will play against France in the quarterfinals on Saturday evening. The winner of that game then faces Germany or Austria.
Georgia Stanway shot England to victory in overtime.
Georgia Stanway shot England to victory in overtime. Photo: AP
Wiegman intervenes when lagging
Where England often overwhelmed the opponents in the group stage, it was difficult against Spain from the start. In the well-filled stadium of Brighton & Hove Albion, hardly any chances were created against the compact defensive opponent.
Yet England seemed to take the lead just before half-time, when Ellen White scored from close range from a free kick. However, the cheers quickly died down when the flag was raised for offside.
Another setback for England came ten minutes after the break. Substitute Athenea del Castillo was cold in the field when she enabled teammate González to give Spain a surprising lead with a very nice action.
Wiegman responded by refreshing almost her entire attack with Toone and Chloe Kelly before Beth Mead and White. Toone rewarded the coach’s confidence by making it 1-1 after 84 minutes, when a surprise elimination seemed to be getting closer, following a pass from substitute Alessia Russo.
It gave England confidence for extra time, in which it was the parent team. Already six minutes after the restart, Stanway ensured with a nice swipe that the host country was released after a difficult evening.