| Date: Wednesday, 20 July Venue: Amex Stadium, Brighton Kick-off: 20:00 BST Coverage: Watch dwell on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport web site; hear to dwell commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; comply with textual content commentary on the BBC Sport web site |
England are getting ready for their greatest take a look at of the European Women’s Championship after they tackle one of many pre-tournament favourites Spain in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Just one place separates the groups in world rankings and expectations for each nations are excessive.
Spain have a squad packed filled with Champions League winners, whereas England are on a roll and have house benefit in Brighton. With a spot within the semi-finals up for grabs, right here is every part you need to know.
What kind are they in?
Confidence is sky-high for hosts England, ranked eighth on the earth, having gone 17 video games unbeaten since Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman turned supervisor in September.
The Lionesses gained all three video games within the group phases with out conceding a single objective, whereas the 14 they scored beat the earlier event file of 11 set by Germany in 2011.
Their 8-0 thrashing of Norway of their second sport was additionally the very best profitable margin within the historical past of the event.
“I hope we have finished sufficient within the group phases to curiosity folks and produce them on our journey with us,” mentioned England captain Leah Williamson. “I hope they stick with us now and everybody enjoys it.”
Spain, ranked seventh on the earth, haven’t fairly hit the identical heights at this Euros, profitable two of their video games and ending second behind a German facet who beat them 2-0.
Their two wins within the group weren’t with out drama both – they conceded inside a minute towards Finland however bounced again to win 4-1, earlier than needing a Ninetieth-minute winner over Denmark of their ultimate group sport.
However, just like the Lionesses, the Spanish staff are additionally not used to dropping. Their defeat by Germany was their first since March 2020, ending a 24-match unbeaten run.
What take a look at can Spain present?
Spain are identified for their possession-based soccer and have constructed their staff round a core of Barcelona gamers who reached successive Champions League finals and dominated their home scene.
Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen described the gamers as having “an innate capability to preserve the ball and dominate possession”, however they’ve struggled to convert that possession into targets.
They managed 74% of the ball towards Denmark on Saturday evening, however they solely scored as soon as regardless of having 17 photographs. Their tally of 5 targets of their three group video games is fewer than all of the quarter-finalists besides outsiders Belgium and Austria.
“We know they’ve a whole lot of threats however we additionally know there are a whole lot of alternatives to exploit them, so we’ll undoubtedly try to try this,” mentioned England winger Lauren Hemp.
One large risk lacking for Spain is Alexia Putellas – the holder of the Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to one of the best footballer of the 12 months – who was dominated out on the eve of the event after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
That blow got here simply weeks after Spain’s file goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso suffered a sprained knee ligament.
Head-to-head file
The groups final met on the invitational Arnold Clark Cup, which England additionally hosted in February, playing out a goalless draw.
That match was the final time England failed to win, having since launched into a nine-game profitable streak, whereas it was additionally the one time the Lionesses have failed to rating of their 17 video games below Wiegman.
England have by no means misplaced towards Spain when going through them at house, with 4 wins and three attracts, however La Roja have been the final staff to emerge victorious in a gathering of those sides, winning 1-0 at the SheBelieves Cup in 2020.
So who’re the favourites?
Both England and Spain have been closely fancied coming into the event, although the hosts’ inventory has risen following robust performances within the group phases.
After England’s 5-0 win over Northern Ireland on Friday, opposition supervisor Kenny Shiels mentioned it might be a “failure” if Wiegman’s facet didn’t go on to win the Euros.
“You speak about strain on a regular basis and we speak about soccer. We are simply making an attempt to play soccer at our greatest and use our strengths to exploit the weaknesses of the opponent,” mentioned Wiegman.
“Yes, we know it is the knockout stage however that is the identical for the opponent. It’s thrilling.”
The Lionesses have reached the semi-finals at their final three main tournaments, whereas Spain went out within the quarter-finals of Euro 2017.
“That’s the place expertise turns into invaluable,” mentioned Williamson, the England captain. “When you have finished one thing earlier than it undoubtedly makes it simpler subsequent time. It is a bonus that we’ve been in these conditions.”
Spain have by no means reached the ultimate of a significant event, with their finest efficiency coming in 1997 after they reached the final 4.
But given Barcelona’s latest success in home soccer – they gained their first Women’s Champions League title in 2021, earlier than dropping to Lyon within the ultimate this 12 months – the expectation on their worldwide gamers to ship on the Euros can also be excessive.
Former captain captain Vicky Losada mentioned Spain’s performances on the Euros up to now had been good however “possibly not so good as we have been anticipating”.
“We’re seeing Spain not enjoying with the identical vitality, not having fun with the sport,” she added.
What else is there to look out for?
England could possibly be with out supervisor Wiegman after she examined optimistic for Covid on Friday morning and missed the victory over Northern Ireland.
She mentioned she was “feeling good and prepared to go” on Tuesday however will face a wait to see if she can return.
Meanwhile, England striker Ellen White has one other alternative to equal Wayne Rooney’s all-time England goalscoring file after failing to rating within the final match.
White, the joint-top scorer on the 2019 World Cup, has taken her total tally to 52 – one behind Rooney.
However, it’s team-mate Beth Mead who leads the Golden Boot race at this event with a powerful 5 targets and two assists in her first three video games.
Mead was disregarded of Great Britain’s Olympic squad final 12 months.
“I know how a lot it damage her,” mentioned Arsenal team-mate Williamson. “Sometimes you need issues to give you a bit wake-up name.
“There is now no argument that she deserves her place on this staff and that can imply lots to her.”
