England’s women’s soccer team became the first team to reach the semi-finals of the European Championship at home. In the quarter-finals in Brighton on Wednesday evening, England beat Spain 2-1 (1-1, 0-0) after extra time. The Lionesses will now play the winner of the match between Sweden and Belgium on July 26 for a place in the final on July 31. In the other two quarter-finals, Germany and Austria as well as France and the Netherlands face each other.
Unlike the three preliminary round victories with 14 goals without conceding, the English team found it difficult against the strong Spaniards. The top favorite from the island was even on the brink of extinction at one point.
In front of a crowd of more than 29,00 at the Brighton & Hove Community Stadium, Spain started with plenty of possession but failed to convert the few chances they had. The negligence was almost punished just before half-time, but a goal from England’s Ellen Wight (37′) was ruled out for offside. After the break, Esther González (54th) put the Spanish team of coach Jorge Vilda in the lead, who had lost 2-0 to Germany in the preliminary round.
Shortly before the end, Ella Toone (84th) scored the much-acclaimed equalizer. The Manchester United midfielder saved the hosts deserved extra time with her controversial goal. The Spaniards protested about an alleged foul play by Alessia Russo before the goal, but it was of no use to them. In injury time, it was Georgia Stanway (96′), who had switched to FC Bayern Munich, who turned the stadium into a madhouse with her goal.
