'Plan B' Lifts England to Stunning Comeback Win: Three Takeaways as the Lionesses Advance
Oh, what a night.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses advanced to the final four of Euro 2022 with a roof-raising comeback win against Spain at the Amex Stadium. The atmosphere was absurd.
After a bright start to the match, heavy clouds engulfed the South Coast, setting the scene for Esther González to silence the home crowd on 54 minutes.
Spain seized possession on the halfway line, intercepting a sloppy pass from Millie Bright before advancing towards England’s net. After a switch of play, Athenea del Castillo beat Rachel Daly on the dribble, entered the penalty area, and teed González up for an unmissable chance.
It felt a lot like pathetic fallacy… until England overcame Spain 2-1 in extra-time and Sweet Carolina was being blasted into the night sky.
How the Lionesses won isn’t that important.
In the final ten minutes of regulation time, Wiegman threw the kitchen sink at Spain and stumbled upon an equaliser. Georgia Stanway’s winner, by contrast, was the product of exemplary ball-striking and a nervous, retreating defence.
Jorge Vilda’s side controlled large portions of the match and will feel aggrieved by the result; they lost on what should’ve been their breakthrough night.
But what about the Lionesses and the importance of their win?
“The whole game was a test,” said Wiegman. “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.
“In terms of a test and a setback and how we came back, we stuck to it with being together as a team and trying to score. Plan B was also [used for] a couple of minutes and then we scored. I’m so proud of the team.”
Millie Bright, who was recognised as UEFA’s Player of the Match, added: “We’ve not been in that position and to get through shows our character and what we’re about. We find ways to win and that’s what we’ll continue to do.
“Tournament football is about momentum. We’ll stay in our bubble. Nothing changes going into the semis. We showed our true character and talent on the ball. We have to take all the positives out of it.”
With that in mind, here are my three takeaways from England’s win:
Impact Subs Key to Wiegman’s ‘Rhythm’
If, and this isn’t a pleasant query, Wiegman hadn’t recovered from Covid-19 in time for kick-off, would we be talking about another semi-final appearance for the Lionesses? Possibly not: she played a game-breaking role in England’s win.
Replacing Beth Mead, Ellen White, and Fran Kirby within a five-minute span while trailing 1-0 was a bold call – but it paid off in spades. Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were fantastic after entering the fray and played a crucial role in turning the tides against Spain.
Russo registered an assist. Toone scored the equaliser. Kelly, although kept off the scoresheet, provided a fresh spark along the flanks.
Their impact leads to an obvious destination: should Wiegman alter her starting eleven for the final four?
Maybe, but only at centre-forward.
If England’s ‘Plan B’ includes firing crosses into the box (it does), White’s impact from the bench could be immeasurable. The Lionesses would also benefit from having Russo’s link-up play on the pitch from the start.
Wiegman often speaks about the importance of ‘rhythm’: will she keep her impact subs on the bench or deploy them from the off next time out? It’s a debate that will rumble on.
Mary Earps and Aerial Threats
Is anyone else a little bit worried about crosses into the box?
Although Mary Earps has performed well throughout the tournament, her reluctance to challenge for aerial balls led to a few nervy moments at the Amex. Considering Spain attempted more crosses than usual, it’s clearly a weakness that England’s rivals are trying to exploit. Food for thought.
Defence is the Best Form of Attack!?
Wiegman made a wild substitution while down by one in the 82nd minute, replacing attack-minded full-back Rachel Daly with a more defensive option in Alex Greenwood. It paid off for three reasons:
Daly was left bewildered by Del Castillo on Spain’s goal. Greenwood, meanwhile, nullified the threat of a dangerous player on the transition, helping England set-up camp in the attacking half.
It facilitated Bright’s move to centre-forward (and England’s switch to a 3-5-2), which completely unsettled Spain’s backline.
Following the equalizer, Greenwood’s presence allowed Wiegman to revert back to her favoured 4-2-3-1.
“It’s just about finding a way to win,” said Bright of moonlighting as a target forward.
“I thought Spain were really physical tonight and gave us a really good battle physically, which I don’t think we’ve come up against to that level. They defended really well but (it was about) just applying that extra bit of pressure and then we get a moment, and it’s in the back of the net. It’s just about finding different ways.”
Indeed. See you in Sheffield.