Even as England struggled to create something, anything, in their Euro 2022 quarter-final against Spain, there was a lingering sense that the match would eventually tilt in their direction. It’s been that sort of tournament for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses. A lot appears to be in the favour of the host nation.
Spain was a real test of England’s Euro 2022 credentials. For 80 minutes, Jorge Vilda’s side controlled the match. The Lionesses – the tournament’s top scorers – were restricted to aimless crosses into the box and shots from distance. Spain’s technical ability and possession-based game made them the dominant force.
But Wiegman – arguably the best manager in women’s international soccer right now – made the changes required to swing the pendulum towards England. Her decision to introduce Alex Greenwood and shift to a back three freed up Millie Bright to act as an auxiliary centre forward. She brought an element of chaos to England’s attack.
Alessia Russo was also substituted on to act as an attacking apex, but not without a plan to harness and support her. Ella Toone was also introduced and it was these three – Russo, Toone and Bright- who overloaded the Spain penalty area to create the opening for the equaliser with just six minutes of regular time remaining.
These changes were in stark contrast to the ones made by Vilda who withdrew his goalscorer Esther Gonzalez and adopted a more passive approach in an attempt to see the game out. This meant that once England drew level Spain had no way to impose their own game again. They were compromised by their own manager.
“The whole game was a test,” said England boss Wiegman after the extra time victory over Spain in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals. “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.”
At this point, it would be a shock if England didn’t make it past Sweden and into the final. Sweden have match-winning quality, and England must be wary of the likes of Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo, but the Lionesses are a stronger unit than any other team left in the tournament. Wiegman must take much of the credit for this.
There is, however, one team with the structure and individual quality to beat England. Indeed, Germany have also enjoyed an exceptional tournament to date with Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side impressive in wins over Spain, Denmark, Finland and Austria. They have won all four matches they have played and have yet to concede a single goal.
Germany’s midfield unit of Lena Oberdorf, Lina Magull and Sara Dabritz looks to be the strongest at Euro 2022 with all three players offering something different – Oberdorf covers a lot of ground, Dabritz is a creator and Magull carries raw goalscoring threat, as demonstrated by her tally of two goals in just 180 minutes of action.
Marina Hegering has been solid at the back with the 32-year-old embodying many of the qualities that have made Germany so strong at this tournament – positionally disciplined, naturally aggressive and intelligent on the ball. In attack, Germany have an experienced goalscorer in the form of Alexandra Popp who has scored four times.
France’s attack has the potency to blow away any opponent, even after the injury to Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but Corinne Diacre’s team lack the consistency match-to-match, and even within matches, to make the most of their talent advantage. Their wastefulness against Netherlands was cause for concern.
England have long had the talent to win a major tournament, but the difference between this year and past campaigns is the Lionesses now have the manager to take them all the way. Wiegman is a serious upgrade on Phil Neville, who never had the leadership qualities to guide a national team through the pressures of tournament soccer.
As the host nation, England have been building for Euro 2022 for years. It would be a gross disappointment, maybe even a failure, if the Lionesses stumbled before the final. Germany, however, are the most successful nation in the tournament’s history. They have been here before and know how to win.
Germany also know how to win at Wembley – the men’s team famously upset England as the host nation by winning Euro 96. A meeting between the two rivals in the Women’s Euro 2022 final is on the cards and would be a fitting conclusion to a tournament that has produced moments of genuine drama.
