London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

England into semis with dramatic extra-time victory

England into semis with dramatic extra-time victory

England are through to the semi-finals of the European Women's Championship after coming from behind in dramatic fashion to beat pre-tournament favourites Spain in extra time.

Georgia Stanway sent the Amex Stadium into delirium when she thumped in the winner after Sarina Wiegman's side had trailed up until the 84th minute of normal time.

A rendition of Football's Coming Home broke out in the stands as Stanway sprinted over to the corner to celebrate, with England leading for the first time after 95 minutes.

Substitute Ella Toone had volleyed in Manchester United team-mate Alessia Russo's flick-on to cancel out Esther Gonzalez's opener, setting up a nervous ending in stoppage time.

England had momentum on their side and capitalised as the crowd in Brighton were on their feet, while Spain continued to threaten until the final whistle.

Eventual victory for the hosts ensured they reached a fourth successive women's major tournament semi-finals and their impressive unbeaten run under Wiegman extends to 18 matches.

The Lionesses are now one of the leading favourites to lift the trophy for the first time at Wembley on 31 July, but they must overcome either Sweden or Belgium in the last four to get there.

Spain leave the tournament at the quarter-finals stage for the third successive time.


Momentum continues for nerveless England


England have reached four successive women's major tournament semi-finals


England's tournament had played to perfection leading into this match, with the Lionesses topping their group having not lost a game or conceded a single goal.

Their first real test came days before the quarter-final as manager Wiegman tested positive for Covid and only confirmed her return to the dugout three hours before kick-off.

The nerves were to be tested again though, as Spain showed their quality in the first half and dominated until deservedly opening the scoring nine minutes after the break.

Athenea del Castillo, on as a substitute, got the better of full-back Rachel Daly and set-up Gonzalez to fire into the bottom corner, silencing a stunned home crowd.

But Wiegman immediately responded with a triple change - introducing Manchester United duo Russo and Toone, as well as Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly - and it proved to be inspired.

They made a crucial impact as Kelly reignited energy, while Toone and Russo combined for the equaliser to take the game to extra time.

Stanway, who had been challenged by an impressive Spanish midfield for most of the match, saw space to exploit as she broke through the middle and did not hesitate before striking it powerfully into the top left corner for England's devastating winner.

A roar erupted inside the stadium - an apparent release of relief and adrenaline as supporters sensed this was the ultimate turning point in a game largely dominated by the visitors.

Spain continued to fight for an equaliser as Amaiur Sarriegi struck dangerously wide in extra time, but England held their nerve to keep their hopes of winning a first women's major tournament alive.


Emotions on show as drama unfolds


England had not conceded a goal in the tournament before Esther Gonzalez gave Spain the lead early in the second half


The significance of this victory was clear as England's bench ran on to the pitch at full-time to celebrate, while Wiegman turned to the TV camera with fists clenched and passionately shouted: "Come on!"

England are on a winning run and they are desperate for it to continue all the way to the final at Wembley.

The tournament has already delivered some memorable moments - one coming after England's 8-0 win over Norway on their last outing at the Amex Stadium - but this felt like a bigger outpouring of emotion.

England needed to show something they haven't had too many times before under Wiegman.

It was only the second time they had trailed in a match - the first coming against the Netherlands in June's warm-up friendly.

Spain's opener was the first goal England had conceded in this tournament and up until the 83rd minute it felt like they were about to lose for the first time under Wiegman.

But England's quality in depth off the bench was again invaluable as 22-year-old Toone crowned a stunning year for club and country by firing in the game-turning equaliser.

The players embraced arm-in-arm at full-time and danced to England's favourite tournament songs, before taking in a lap of honour.

The hosts once again demonstrated all the ingredients needed to win the tournament and they are two wins away from the ultimate prize.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
×