Stanway stunner sends England past Spain into Euro semis
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 [July 21, 2022] BRIGHTON,
England (Reuters) -England's Georgia Stanway scored with a wonderful
extra-time strike to earn them a 2-1 win over Spain on Wednesday in
an excellent Euro 2022 quarter-final that sent the Lionesses into
the last four.
Hosts England were facing an exit from the tournament with six
minutes of normal time remaining, but went on to earn a semi-final
clash with Belgium or Sweden to the delight of the home crowd.
It was a match which showcased the European women's game at its best
with both teams playing smart technical football at a high-tempo.
But as the familiar chants of 'Football's Coming Home' indicated, it
was also a victory which will spark optimism that England, under the
guidance of Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, can win their first major
tournament.
There was little to separate the teams in the early stages although
England had a 37th-minute effort from Ellen White ruled out for
offside.
However it was Spain who grabbed a 54th-minute lead when taking
advantage of some sloppy play from England as Athenea del Castillo
did well down the right flank and squared the ball to Esther
Gonzalez, who recovered after a poor first touch to drill home.
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Spain's Ona Batlle in action with England's Alex Greenwood
REUTERS/John Sibley
Del Castillo then went close to a second with a
cross-shot which was clawed away by England keeper Mary Earps at
full-stretch .
Spain were buzzing and playing with real confidence but six minutes
from the end of normal time, the Lionesses found a way to keep the
game alive when Alessia Russo headed Lauren Hemp's cross into the
path of substitute Ella Toone who poked home to take the game into
extra time.
The decisive moment came when Stanway found space in the Spanish
half and pushed forward before unleashing a fierce shot from 20
metres out which flew past Sandra Panos.
Spain, who have yet to win a knockout game in a major tournament,
were devastated and left the field in tears but for the 28,994
crowd, the biggest for a Euro quarter-final, it was party time.
(Reporting by Simon EvansEditing by Toby Davis)
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