Spain He is already part of the elite. He has earned the respect of the world for his style of play, for his character, for his competitive spirit. Yesterday in Brighton, he was on the verge of a European dream after losing with honors to hosts England and heavy favorites to win “his” Euro, with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat after extra time. The ‘Lionesses’ will meet in the semi-finals, on Tuesday July 26, the winner of the duel between Sweden and Belgium.
La Roja got up shamelessly, as she had announced. And it can boast of having been the only team capable of scoring the team of Sarina Wiegman, until yesterday the only team with Germany who had not yet conceded a goal in this tournament. He knew how to compete face to face and show that this team still has a long way to go.
surprised Savage with an unprecedented starting XI, with the entry of Therese Abelleira in midfield, a surprising decision when the Real Madrid player had not yet made her debut at this Euro. He also opted for Olga Carmona on the left side for Leila Ouahabi, who had started in all three group stage games and by Marta Cardona, who scored the winning goal against Denmark, Mariona Caldentey and Esther González like a pure ‘9’ on the attack line.
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Spain started with a strong desire to dominate the game, control the ball and seek possession, true to their style of play. The first notice already arrived after three minutes with a very good opening from Patri Galet for the incorporation of Carmona by the left lane. The Real Madrid player put in a very pumped cross but the England goalkeeper caught it easily Ears.
England immediately had their answer with a fine play from Lucy Bronze, Barca’s star signing, who offered flashes of his immense quality and all he can bring to the Barca squad this season. The winger got off to a brilliant start after stealing the ball from Esther and covering virtually the entire pitch with the ball under control, but Olga Carmona was very careful to deny her lead.
Once again Spain were in danger with a corner taken by Mapi Leon, which Cardona took advantage of when she found herself alone at the far post to push her, but she came very hard and the ball went wide. Mead responded by firing a free-kick from the shrewd England striker. Ellen White, City’s “killer”, but his shot went wide.
However, it was difficult for him to hurt England, with a Lucia Bronze very well defended by Carmona and Abelleira and without being able to find places. Spain, on the other hand, was increasingly at ease. In the 16th minute, Earps easily picked up Caldentey’s shot from outside the box.
It was clear that both teams wanted to have the ball, not in vain Spain is the leader in possession of this tournament with 66%, followed by the “Lionesses” with 62%. After 20 minutes, a header from Patri Guijarro went over the crossbar and a shot from Marta Cardona after a superb play from Aitana was deflected for a corner by England centre-back Williamson. Earps then safely grabbed the corner thrown by Mapi León. Moments of high intensity and maximum pressure from both teams in a fast-paced duel.
Spain had a lot more attacking presence than England. Half an hour after the start of the match, there was a nice counter-attack from Vilda’s team, through Cardona, who put in a spectacular cross that Esther miraculously missed. In the 32nd minute, Aitana’s shot went high after his volley went over the crossbar.
The main scare came in the 36th minute when a goal was canceled out by White, who collected the loose ball in the box and fired Paños’ goal, but was offside. The Spanish team had to be very attentive to the kicks stopped by the English. Mapi received the yellow on the edge of the break for cutting off a counterattack. He left mid-game with the game fully open.
I enter Athena del Castillo de Cardona in the second to give freshness and impudence to the attack and the bet could not have been better. In the 51st minute, the Real Madrid striker entered like a dagger and handed the pass to Esther to finish as he pleased. White connection to have justice for Vilda’s insistence on the attack. The great Malaga woman, who suffered an injury ordeal until settling at Real Madrid as a basic piece, dispelled all the doubts generated in the games against Germany and Denmark and made it clear her property.
The reaction of Sarina Wiegman The goal was immediate: Kelly and Russo came in for Mead and White. A cross from Kelly had to be cleared by Aitana as the English national team’s top scorer, Alessia Russo, appeared from behind. In the 65th minute, the very young and incisive Athenea responded, who went alone against Daly and Williamson and released a cross that poisoned and was about to sneak into the English goal, if not for the goal of Earps. The truth is that the entry of the Real Madrid player changed the panorama of the match. In the 70th minute, surprise XI player Abelleira left and Laia Alexandri came on in her place.
Spectacular exhibition of Athena, who fired a terrific shot at Daly and put a cross back, which neither Esther nor Mariona could hit. In the 75th minute, England’s clearest chance came when a dead ball was left inside the box, which Hemp sent into an unbeatable position. Esther left the field to applaud Sheila García.
In the 81st minute, the tie came in the boots of tones, who pushed the ball into the net after receiving the ball from Russo who beat three Spaniards from above. After reviewing a possible foul on Russo’s jump. The goal goes up on the scoreboard. A real hammer. England grow, boosted by an upset home crowd and goalscoring morale.
The game went into overtime with everything open, with a bundle of nerves for both teams. The emotion didn’t last long at 96′ a beautiful goal from Stanway deafened the stadium. The England midfielder stepped forward alone and pulled out an unassailable shoe from afar.
At minute 99, Vilda bets on Amaiur Sarriegme, the Real goalscorer who finally had her chance to make her debut. He had a great chance in the 103rd minute, getting rid of Williamson with a big feint and took a hard low kick with his left foot, which went to lick the right post of the goal defended by Earps.
to see her Aitana in the 107th minute, but his shot from inside the box went wide of Earps’ post. He was tempted to the bitter end, but England were no longer willing to forgive.