ANALYSIS: Stanway golazo sends England into European Championship semi-final
Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get to watch a game of football that you know will become a classic even before the final whistle has blown.
There was little certainty about how the result would teeter and fall: the two teams had drawn 0-0 in their most recent meeting back in February, while the emerging Spaniards had just edged the Lionesses 1-0 two years earlier thanks to a goal from their star player Alexia Putellas, who — perhaps to England's mercy — was unavailable this time around due to an ACL tear.
Perhaps it was the nerves — the creeping weight of expectation from their home crowd — but England appeared perplexed by their own inability to keep the ball. Spain's breathless press barely gave the Lionesses enough time to find a pass, let alone connect one. England's most dangerous players so far this tournament in Beth Mead and Fran Kirby were so ineffective they may as well have not been on the pitch.Unforced errors abounded as the first half wore on and Spain tightened their grip.
After the two starting XIs had cancelled each other out over the first half, with neither really creating convincing chances in front of goal, the tactical battles moved from the players on the pitch to the managers off it. But there is where Wiegman's management came to the fore. Just past the hour, the Dutchwoman replaced the seemingly-irreplaceable Kirby with the veteran's heir-apparent: Manchester United youngster Ella Toone. England's energy changed almost immediately as the 21-year-old brought a forward drive and creative flair that had been missing, tucking into pockets of space and creating new shapes in the warm Brighton night.
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