England secured their place in the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 semi-final after an extra-time 2-1 victory over Spain in Brighton.

The Lionesses had to show their steel on the south coast too, after finding themselves a goal down in the second half when Spain's Esther Gonzalez struck her side ahead.

But when substitute Ella Toone levelled things up with a close-range volley with just six minutes of normal time remaining to take the game into extra time, it also gave England the impetus they needed to go on and win the match.

And what a goal to win it, as Georgia Stanway's thunderous strike from long-range flew into the top corner to send the crowd into raptures as the Lionesses reach their fourth successive semi-final in major tournaments following previous performances at the 2019 and 2015 World Cups and the 2017 EURO.

Sarina Wiegman's side will now take on either Sweden or Belgium in the semi-final, at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on Tuesday 26 July.

England were cautious as they faced their toughest test of the EUROs so far with Spain putting pressure on goalkeeper Mary Earps from the get-go. The tournament’s leading goalscorer Beth Mead was put under two physical challenges early on but England kept their composure to go toe to toe with Spain in the opening exchanges.

With 17 minutes gone, Earps was called into a simple save from the dynamic Mariona Caldentey before holding on to a tame shot from Mapi Leon.

Possession changed hands several times as both teams looked for the breakthrough, Aitana Bonmatí was forced into a long-range shot from a clearance of a Spanish corner as England’s defence stood firm.

The Lionesses were the first to have the ball in the back of the net as Ellen White poked home from close range on 37 minutes, but the goal was ruled out with Lucy Bronze judged offside in the build-up.

Stanway was brought down by Leon who went into the book as the sides went into half-time all square, and Jorge Vilda was the first to make a change, sending Athenea Del Castillo for Marta Cardona for the second half.

It didn't arrive though, as some strong defending from Millie Bright and Leah Williamson at the heart of the back-line and a composed display from Earps behind them kept their team alive.

And when Wiegman introduced Toone, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly from the bench, that gave England a freshness in attack which quickly began to threaten the Spanish rearguard.

With ten minutes to go and Spain having failed to find a second goal, England found their second wind and Toone brought the house down when she volleyed home Russo's knockdown to level things up.

England finished the game strongly, and looked confident of finding a late winner as they ended the game on the front foot only to run out of time.

But Wiegman's charges began on the front foot and extra time was only six minutes old when Stanway unleashed a rocket of a shot from outside the box to send her team into the last four.

More wise substitutions followed, with Wiegman adding the experience of Jill Scott and Nikita Parris from the bench to help nullify any momentum Spain could muster.

 

England started the second half brightly, but it was Spain who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute as Del Castillo sent a cross into Gonzalez who rifled home to hand Spain the lead.

Sarina Wiegman responded by bringing on Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo who had been influential throughout the group stage and helped to continue the Lionesses’ attacking intent.

Lauren Hemp was brought down in the penalty area but appeals for a spot kick were waved away by referee Stephanie Frappart.

Earps denied Spain a second with a fine one-handed save as she got a glove to Del Castillo’s cross-cum-shot with Millie Bright clearing on the line.

Rachel Daly provided England’s first shot on target with a long-range effort that was well met by Sandra Panos in goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, there was pinball in the penalty area as England saw multiple attempts shut down by Spain before a Hemp shot went wide.

Best friends Toone and Russo combined to bring England level with six minutes left of regular time as Russo headed down to Toone to volley home as the Brighton & Hove Community Stadium erupted.

The forward’s goal was enough to force extra time before Stanway’s powerful strike gave England the lead six minutes into extra time, the winger firing in from the edge of the box.

The Lionesses were resolute to hold off a Spanish equaliser as a record crowd for a Women’s EURO quarter-final cheered England to a famous win and a fourth successive semi-final at a major tournament.