Just as you can never be sure how enjoyable a film will be when you have only seen the trailer, you do not know how good an England team is until it has played a knockout game, but the Lionesses are worth watching to find out.
Having crushed Scotland in their opening game in Group D, this was a completely different sort of test against a talented Spain side, but somehow they passed it.
Spain were good, really good at times. They played some lovely football, but England could not be broken down. If anything defines the English spirit it this sort of dogged determination; a sheer stubborn refusal to be beaten. This group of ladies have it abundance.
They gritted their teeth and clung on to a lead given to them by Fran Kirby inside the first 60 seconds, eventually securing the victory with a late second through Jodie Taylor, her fourth goal of the tournament.
England steamrolled Scotland, overpowering and eventually out-playing them, but Spain asked all sorts of different questions, particularly of a defence that was brilliantly held together by centre backs Steph Houghton and Millie Bright. This was a victory for resilience and organisation over skill and flair.
“It’s a huge result and I think we’ll look back and say this was a big win for us,” said England manager Mark Sampson. “I’m in awe of this group with their grit, determination and sheer will to win.
“I’m incredibly proud. We know we will have to play better, we’d certainly have liked to have more of the ball, but if we do go on to something special in this tournament, I think we will look back on this as a pivotal night in Breda.”
Spain had more than 70% of possession, they pulled England all over the pitch, testing their resolve, as well as their fitness. If they hoped England would tire, they were wrong. On this evidence, there is not a fitter side in Europe. Having taken the lead so early, England gave everything they had to ensure they did not lose it.
Spain were dangerous, gifted and clever, according to England manager Mark Sampson, manipulators of football’s dark arts. However, for all the talk of Spain’s dubious methods, the fact remains, they are slick pass and move side who, just like the men’s team, kill teams slowly, causing death by a thousand short passes.
Ranked just eight places below England, Spain came to Holland with many tipping them as one of the dark horses to win the competition. This was an early test of both teams’ credentials.
Spain should have taken the lead inside the first minute. Torrential rain had caused the pitch to become greasy and when Houghton fell inside her own area, it gifted a shooting chance to Vicky Losada. With time and space, she could pick her spot. Fortunately, for England, she did not find it with the shot.
Spain were punished immediately. England cleared upfield, the defence was caught flat and Ellen White slipped a ball through for Kirby to run on to, before rolling a perfect finish beyond the goalkeeper.
Moments later Jordan Nobbs’ free-kick was perfectly delivered for Bright to attack. The centre-back did so superbly, a looping header drifting into the far corner, but it was ruled out for a dubious offside against Lucy Bronze, who was judged to have interfered with play.
Spain, as expected, dominated possession, probing England’s formation for a weakness. England’s strikers rarely saw the ball, but they helped make sure Spain played in front of the team’s defence rather than through it.
England sat deep, soaking up the pressure rather better than the pitch absorbed a heavy downpour which, briefly, looked as though it could force the game to be abandoned.
When the rain finally subsided, England were drenched and tired, but they still held the lead. Half- time came as a relief.
England had spent most of the first half chasing the ball, rather than playing with it, but crucially they kept their shape. Could they continue to hold out?
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Spain played with the ball, England played well without it. It was risky, England rarely got out of their half, but Spain lacked penetration.
England were also grateful to referee Carina Vitulano, who initially awarded a penalty when White slipped and handled a through ball. Seconds later, after Spain’s players had high fived each other, she changed her mind and awarded England a free kick.
It left everyone confused, but it broke Spain and they conceded a second when Taylor slotted the ball home after a clever flick from Nobbs.
“We are going to continue to play in this way,” said Spain manager Jorge Vilda, who refused to discuss the penalty incident. “We have dominated the game, but we were not lucky, that is the difference."
Player ratings
England (4-2-3-1): Bardsley 6; Bronze 6; Houghton 8; Bright 8; Stokes 7; J Scott 7; Moore 6; Nobbs 6; Kirby 7 (Christiansen 69); White 6 (Duggan 79); Taylor 7 (Potter 89).
Subs not used: Chamberlain, Telford, Williams, Bassett, Greenwood, A Scott.
Spain (3-5-2): Panos 6; Torrejon 6; Pereira 6; Paredes 6; Corredera 7; Losada 6 (Garcia 73); Meseguer 7; Putellas 7; Ouahabi 7; Hermoso 6; Sampedro 6 (Torrecilla 89).
Subs not used: Gallardo, Mariasun, Jimenez, Torrecilla, Paz, Alexandra, Garcia, Gonzalez, Latorre, Leon, Caldentey, Nicart.
Booked: Paredas, Hernandez.
Referee: Carina Vitulano (Italy).