Euro 2022: England turn to bench to secure comeback against Spain

July 21 - On an agonizing and nerve-wracking night, host country England, watched by a sold-out Amex stadium and 7.6 million home viewers, qualified for the Women's Euro semi-finals on Wednesday after coming from behind to beat pre-tournament favorites Spain in extra time.

Georgia Stanway unleashed a stunning howl to hand the hosts a 2-1 win despite being second-best for long stretches of the match.

England, who beat Norway 8-0 in the group stage, faced an ignominious exit from the tournament with six minutes of regulation time remaining, but then won a semi-final clash with England. Belgium or Sweden.

Spain took the lead in the 54th minute through Esther Gonzalez, rewarded for her one-touch passes, clever tactics and technical ability. But time was running out as the Lionesses equalized substitute Ella Toone before Stanway's 20-yard piledriver in the 95th minute, sending the crowd at Brighton's Amex Stadium into a frenzy.

Spain continued to threaten until the final whistle, but couldn't break through the England defense as the hosts secured a fourth consecutive major tournament semi-final and extended their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman to 18 matches.

England's renowned strength from deep was the deciding factor, with Wiegman, who had just recovered from a Covid fight, showing tactical savvy as he knocked out top scorer Ellen White Euro 2022 goalscorer Mead and playmaker Fran Kirby at the time Spain was in complete control.

"The whole game was a test. The level of this game was so high. I didn't experience that too much," Wiegmann said.

"We used plan B. We scored quickly after that so we could get back to our normal form. I'm so proud of the team. The fans behind us, it felt. I came with the team late, I got ready, I tried to stay calm. I won't forget this day."

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