England are through to the semi-finals of the Women’s Euro 2022 following a dramatic night against Spain.
The Lionesses had to do it the hard way, but they eventually overcame their opponents in Brighton to take another step towards a Wembley final. Ella Toone rescued the hosts late on after Esther Gonzalez’s opener, before Georgia Stanway’s rocket fired England through in extra time.
A semi-final against either Sweden or Belgium now awaits – here are five things we learned from last night’s quarter-final.
ALSO READ: Georgia Stanway fires England into Women's Euro 2022 semi-final with comeback win over Spain
Is this the real England – better for Sarina’s first big test?
Sarina Wiegman’s appointment in August 2020 was a revelation to this Lionesses squad, who have not lost a match since her imposing reign as head coach began. Spain, a possession-dominant side, looked to be her first test in this summer’s Women’s Euro after England coasted to the top of their group with breath-taking ease.
A cagey first half was followed by a daunting 45 minutes as the hosts trailed until six minutes were left on the clock. Unlike their opening three matches, the Lionesses looked nervous and indecisive on the ball and relied on four second-half substitutes to get the better of La Roja.
A performance like this was poles apart from their group-stage displays, but as the competition fine tunes the strong from the weak, a test like this could be a blessing in disguise for Wiegman as she begins preparations for an onerous semi-final next week.
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Williamson should return to midfield if Keira Walsh is ruled out
Going off deep into extra time, with a grimace and a pained limp to her stride, Keira Walsh’s injury means England will have to consider their contingency plans.
The Mancunian midfielder has been a steady stalwart in Sarina Wiegman’s plans, with tight pirouettes on the ball and a powerful presence in the centre of the park that has allowed Georgia Stanway, Fran Kirby et al to thrive, with security behind them. Her absence is therefore a bitter blow for the Lionesses to bear.
Leah Williamson may be the greatest remedy, having played alongside Walsh in friendlies leading up to the tournament, but has since been utilised as a centre-back during the Euros.
This has, at times, made Williamson regress into a more passive role, playing incisive passes and embarking on marauding runs alongside her Millie Bright
Moving the captain back into midfield is surely the best way to heal the wound left by Walsh and allow her to flourish and put a marker on the match. Alex Greenwood could slot back in alongside Bright.
What happens if England’s No6 gets man-marked?
We all know the importance of the pivot to Wiegman’s structure, but Spain posed the question here, fielding a 4-2-3-1 formation, of what the Lionesses should do if an opponent sits a player on the No6. Can they persevere with their game-plan?
They can.
England’s reaction was for Walsh to drag players out of the way, left or right. This allowed either centre-half to move into the space vacated, with time to pick a passing angle. Should that fail, the pass was made directly, evading the Spanish press altogether. It wasn’t abandoning tactics, but simply proving an alternative solution.
England staying in is good news for the tournament
England’s presence in the semi-finals, their fourth run to the last four in successive major tournaments, is a major boost for the game in general, UEFA and The FA.
Attendance records have been smashed but the feel-good factor around the country as Sarina Wiegman’s team now head up to Sheffield on Tuesday to face either Sweden or Belgium, who play in their quarter-final in Leigh on Friday, will only help make this Women’s Euros all the more memorable.
Super subs just part of the plan
There will be understandable calls for Alessia Russo to start the semi-final on Tuesday ahead of Ellen White up front for England. But the changes Sarina Wiegman is routinely making within each game are not a Plan B but part of Plan A.
Introducing Chloe Kelly, more of an orthodox winger than the converted striker Beth Mead, helps England stretch the play laterally as opponents tire; likewise Russo’s mobility moves centre-backs around after White has pinned them more centrally in the first part of games.
Toone’s incisive but direct passing and third-man runs offer a difference from Fran Kirby’s dribbling and eye for the unusual. So just because England came back from conceding their first goal of the tournament does not mean Wiegman should necessarily change her starting line-up against Sweden or Belgium.
