BRIGHTON —- England needed a superb individual strike from Georgia Stanway in extra time to beat Spain and progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Euro.

Coach Sarina Wiegman’s team fought back from a goal down to claim a place in the semi-finals as Stanway secured a 2-1 victory over Spain at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.

The tournament hosts looked in trouble trailing to Esther Gonzalez’s 54th-minute goal before Ella Toone levelled with a smart finish with six minutes of normal time remaining, teed up by fellow substitute Alessia Russo.

England coach Wiegman was a winner in 2017 with Netherlands

Stanway then sparked delirium among the 28,994 crowd in attendance by firing a stunner past Sandra Panos six minutes into extra time as England secured a place in a fourth successive major tournament semi-final.

The Lionesses, Euros runners-up in 1984 and 2009, will now face either Sweden or Belgium in the last four at Bramall Lane next Tuesday as they continue their quest for a first major piece of silverware.

After scoring 14 goals without reply across three group-stage victories, Wiegman’s side showed impressive fight to emerge victorious this time on their return to the venue where they had last week, in the second of those games, recorded the biggest win in Euros history by demolishing Norway 8-0.

Wiegmann, back in charge after Covid, said: “The whole game was a test. The level of this game was so high. I haven’t experienced that too much. We know Spain are a very good team especially in possession. We did pretty well too.

Tribute to fans

“In terms of a test and a setback and how we came back, we stuck to it with being together as a team trying to score. Plan B was also [used for] a couple of minutes in and then we scored. Then we went back. I’m so proud of the teams. Incredible. The fans behind us, you could feel it. This is home advantage.

“Worried is a big word. We were behind and knew we had to do something. We scored quickly after doing that so we could go back into our normal shape. Incredible. [You’re] concerned otherwise [you] don’t change shape a little bit. Nice that it worked.

“A crazy day, especially today. I came with the team late, prepared, trying to stay calm yourself. I won’t forget this day.”

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