England resume their quest for Euro 2022 glory on Wednesday when the quarter-finals kick off in Brighton.
Sarina Wiegman’s side take on Spain at the AMEX Stadium hoping to build on an imperious run as Group A champions that produced 14 goals for and none against.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what’s to come.
Lionesses keeping cool
England captain Leah Williamson is taking nothing for granted as she aims for Euro 2022 glory.
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels said after his team’s 5–0 loss to the Lionesses that it would be a “huge failure” if they did not win the tournament.
Asked about Shiels’ comments ahead of the round of 16 clash with Spain, Williamson said: “We know what we want to do and we know what we dream of, and the journey you have to go through to achieve it, so it’s not that simple. like that, if it were, happy days.
“But it’s not as simple as that and I think we’re focused enough on the day not to let that affect us.”
come on irene
🙌 TOMORROW IS AN IMPORTANT DAY!!— Spanish Women’s Soccer Team (@SEFutbolFem) July 19, 2022
Captain Irene Paredes has insisted that Spain must play their own game as they try to find a way past goalless England.
La Roja dominated possession during the group stage but struggled to convert it into goals, managing five in their three Group B games.
However, Paredes said: “I don’t think we need to adapt our game to England and we won’t. The best we can do is play our game, try to keep possession: attacking is the best form of defense for us.
“Any player would love to be here tomorrow, we will give it our all. We haven’t stopped talking about it in the last few days.”
one in, one out
Wiegman missed the Lionesses’ 5-0 win over Northern Ireland in their final group match after testing positive for Covid-19, but hopes to return to the bench as they battle for a place in the semi-finals.
The Dutchwoman, whose symptoms consisted of “a bit of a fever and a bit of a cough, but not that bad”, told a news conference on Tuesday: “Of course I’m very hopeful, but we’ll see what happens, and we know.” . if I can’t be there, I’ll be in another way”.
However, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was ruled out of the Spain game after a positive test, the second player after defender Lotte Wubben-Moy to be sidelined with coronavirus.
Wiegman added: “We are very aware and very careful. We’re trying to stay in our bubble and do the right things, and hopefully keep everyone fit.”
Misery for Martens
Lieke Martens heeft tijdens de wedstrijd tegen Zwitserland een voetblessure opgelopen. Uit nader onderzoek is gebleken dat het voor haar niet meer mogelijk is om nog in actie te komen tijdens dit EK. Heel veel sterkte Lieke. 🧡https://t.co/0E8xFMM9J8— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 19, 2022
Dutch midfielder Lieke Martens’ tournament has come to an early end due to a foot injury.
Paris St Germain’s summer signing, 29, solved the problem during Sunday’s 4-1 Group C win over Switzerland.
Head coach Mark Parsons told Oranje’s official website: “This is terrible news for Lieke and for us. She has fully committed to the team during this tournament.
“It is very unfortunate that his European Championship has to end like this.”
Statistics of the day
quote of the day
“They are at home, they are the hosts, they are the favourites, so the pressure is on them. We feel very calm.”
The Spanish winger Marta Cardona to the official UEFA website.
post of the day
Until next time
July 20th
Quarterfinals: England-Spain (8:00 p.m., Amex Stadium)
