England are through to the semi-finals of the women’s Euros after an emphatic comeback against Spain to win 2-1.
The Lionesses fell behind in the second half after a low strike from Esther Gonzalez, but struck back with a goal from Ella Toone to take the match into extra time.
Georgia Stanway scored the winner with a venomous 20-yard strike into the far corner that caused the home crowd to erupt in celebration.
But as extra time drew on La Roja kept pressing and a dangerous corner with minutes left in the game almost sent the game to penalties.
The win secured England’s spot in the final four of the European Championships. They will face either Sweden or Belgium in the semi-finals.
It will be the fourth semi-final at a major tournament in a row that England’s women have reached.
Spain frustrated the Lionesses for much of the opening 90 minutes. They had the better of the possession and shots, as well as using other time-stalling techniques to stop England from reaching their full potential in an ill-tempered encounter in Brighton.
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La Roja took the lead shortly after the break as substitute Athenea del Castillo expertly beat Rachel Daly on the right, before cutting the ball back for Esther Gonzalez.
The Spain striker then made no mistake in firing past Mary Earps.
It was the first goal England had conceded at Euro 2022 and as the game drew on it looked like it could be the thing to send them out of the tournament.
But with six minutes to go in regulation Toone popped up to slot home Alessia Russo’s nod down, sending the game into extra-time.
England, revitalised by their equaliser and roared on by the almost 29,000-strong crowd at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, sealed their victory through a storming strike by Stanway.
Keira Walsh fed her former Manchester City team-mate before the midfielder unleashed an unstoppable effort from 20 yards, seeing England through in fine fashion.
