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England Talking Point: Lionesses Character Shines | Walsh Key To Comeback
Wednesday’s quarter-final was the toughest test Sarina Wiegman’s England have faced so far. As soon as Spain scored, this was the time where everything they have learned under the Dutch coach was about to come into play.
In previous tournaments, the Lionesses may have become overawed by the occasion. Much of the almost 29,000-strong crowd at the Amex were backing England, and often at times, got on their backs when things were not going well. This has rarely – if ever – happened to the Lionesses under Wiegman.
Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway were the heroes for England after their goals saw the Lionesses make it through to Euro 2022 semi-finals
They were also facing a Spain side who tried everything in their arsenal to disrupt an in-form England. They had the better possession, more shots and tried other tactics too, but England’s mental toughness won the day.
It could almost be dubbed ‘the Sarina effect’. This is exactly the kinds of situations she was bought in to navigate, making the Lionesses better at riding through those tough moments – or this case, almost entire games – and still come out on top.
While England did go into the fixture as favourites, Spain were the bookies bet before Alexia Putellas was ruled out with an ACL injury. La Roja are the first team the Lionesses have faced this tournament who are ranked above them and their character to reach the semi-finals under such pressure cannot be underestimated.
“It’s definitely one to be proud of,” winning goalscorer Georgia Stanway told the BBC after the game. “It just shows the level we are at. We get a setback and we come back. Job done.”
