England 2 Spain 0, Women's Euro 2017: Lionesses refuse to buckle as they advance towards quarter-finals

Fran Kirby gives England the lead
Fran Kirby gives England the lead Credit: GETTY IMAGES

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.

Alexia Putellas of Spain is tackled by Jordan Nobbs
Alexia Putellas of Spain is tackled by Jordan Nobbs Credit: GETTY IMAGES

“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.

Lucy Bronze (front) climbs highest to head the ball away
Lucy Bronze (front) climbs highest to head the ball away Credit: AFP

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's Jodie Taylor celebrates scoring her side's second
England's Jodie Taylor celebrates scoring her side's second Credit: PA

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).

                                                                                                    

Kirby relieved to win

Goalscorer Fran Kirby says: "I was nervous as I went through as I hadn't touched the ball yet. We knew they'd have possession, we had to remain defensively disciplined. I'm absolutely loving it, really happy to be here and enjoying every second of it."

Full Time - England 2 Spain 0

Fran Kirby in the first minute, Jodie Taylor in the 80th, England have six points from six and top the group. It also means that Scotland's slim hopes of progress remain technically alive.

90+2 mins

England seeing out time. For all the Spanish possession, Bardsley has rarely been troubled in the England goal. The ghost penalty will be the big talking point but Mark Sampson's plan, if that indeed is what this was, has worked perfectly.

88 mins Final subs

Goalscorer Jodie Taylor heads off. More heroic aerial defence from the outstanding Houghton and Bright at the other end.

84 mins GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!! ENGLAND 2 Spain 0

If they weren't demoralised before, they are now. England win the ball high up the field, feed it in to Jodie Taylor and the confident striker, fresh from a hat trick against Scotland, calmly slots in a fourth goal of the tournament. Job done?

Jodie Taylor makes it 2-0.

 

82 mins

I wonder if Spain have been slightly demoralised and deflated by that bizarre non-penalty. England starting to see more of the ball, further up the field, since it happened.

78 mins England shot

Miles wide from Jill Scott, but worthy of note as it's England's first serious attack for the best part of an hour.

77 mins Duggan on

Ellen White, fresh from that let off, is replaced by Toni Duggan. We're into the realms of lip-reading and second guessing on that penalty incident by the way - the referee picks the ball up, points to her thigh, holds her hands up as if acknowledging an error, and reverses the penalty decision. If she's saying she made a mistake and it actually came off White's thigh, that's quite something.

 

75 mins Spain penalty, or is it?

Cannot explain this one. Spain cross from the left, Ellen White slips, blatantly handles the ball in her own penalty box, referee whistles and points to the penalty spot. Then, for reasons nobody seems sure of, the referee decides to have an uncontested drop ball in front of Karen Bardsley. The England keeper is very pleased about this indeed and clears it down the field. Perplexing stuff.

73 mins

The pattern of play hasn't changed since the tenth minute of this game as Spain continue to hold all the ball without posing much of a goal threat. England are pressing higher than they were, but their ball retention is non-existent. The clock is starting to favour Mark Sampson's team.

72 mins Spain change

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Losada heads off, Garcia comes on as Spain push for an equaliser.

68 mins Yellow card

A rare adventure into the Spanish half sees Pereira haul down Taylor for the second Spanish booking of the night. Isolated goalscorer Fran Kirby is the woman making way for Christiansen.

66 mins Sampson makes first move

Man City's Izzy Christiansen is being readied from the bench to stiffen up this wilting England midfield. This will be a tournament debut for the 25-year-old.

65 mins And again

Spain pressure fairly relentless now and a vital flicked header from Bright carries the ball away for a corner when it could have been much worse.

62 mins Spain scare

Cute chipped through ball has Hermoso and Bardsley rushing towards each other in the area. Bardsley misjudges the bounce, misses the ball, flattens Hermoso... referee says corner.

60 mins

Sampedro goes round Stokes but her recovery tackle is immaculate. You've guessed it though, possession handed straight back. England with a bank of four, a bank of five in front of that, and prayer. 

Jill Scott stands strong.

 

59 mins

You can't help but admire the defensive work of Bright and Houghton for England - they're in again with a block on Putellas after Bronze had conceded possession in a bad area. Infuriatingly, England respond by just hoofing the ball straight back to the Spanish and so the pressure begins all over again.

52 mins

... they do so again but Bright is penalised for clattering the Spanish defender.

52 mins England attack

Chance to put some good ball in the box as Nobbs is fouled tight to the right touchline deep in Spanish territory. England have looked for Millie Bright at the back post with every one of these they've had so far...

51 mins

Similar situation at the other end as Paños rushes to the edge of the area to clear one away from Taylor.

50 mins

Sampedro, up and about now, looks to sneak through on goal but Karen Bardsley's starting position means she can swoop on the ball as it breaches the penalty area. So far, much the same as the first half minus an early England goal.

48 mins

Mark Sampson accuses Sampedro of diving on the halfway line. He's right, she did, but it's a free kick anyway. England clear it away for a throw.

46 mins Second half underway

And we're back. England huddle, possibly to discuss how they address a 76% possession stat in Spain's favour - they've completed 384 passes to England's 81. Spain huddle, possibly to discuss the scoreline.

Half Time - England 1 Spain 0

Fran Kirby scored after one minute, Millie Bright had a second harshly disallowed after five, it was all going better than England could ever have dreamed.

But as the rain has fallen in Breda, so Spain have grown into the game. England, stuck in their own half, have struggled on a poor pitch and just can't keep hold of the ball. The Spanish have made light work of the conditions, but need to pose more of a goal threat.

Intriguing second half ahead.

44 mins

England are, fairly grimly, a minute away from seeing this through until half time.  Hermoso's long range shot bounces harmlessly through to Bardsley. Very long second half ahead if Mark Sampson's team are going to retain possession as poorly as this though.

More dogged resistance...

 

40 mins

Long ball over the top interests Jodie Taylor but goalkeeper Paños is quickly on the scene to belt it away.

38 mins

As you were: Spain prolonged possession, England happy to allow it until they reach the final third, Lucy Bronze the latest to throw in a fearsome challenge when they do. 

Talk among yourselves.

Jordan Nobbs in the thick of the action.

 

33 mins

Rain relenting slightly, Spain definitely not. Hermoso tees up Losada whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Jill Scott.

29 mins Nice weather for ducks

I am starting to wonder how a pitch that neither team was very impressed with before the game is going to hold up if the rain continues at its current torrential, monsoon pace. Already the ball is starting to stick and spray is flying up behind every pass.

Nothing we're not used to in England, but Spain are coping far better - 75% possession and growing into the game. That said, Paredes is the first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Jodie Taylor.

 

26 mins 

With the rain now absolutely pouring down, Losada is sent crashing to earth and Spain have another dangerous free kick wide on far corner of the area... Puttelas swings one in towards the far post but it misses everybody in the area and the far bottom corner by about a foot.

23 mins Bright sees off danger

Spain go a little more direct but a cross nodded down towards Sampdro is shepherded to safety by Millie Bright in her own six-yard box. Meek appeals for handball rightly waved away.

19 mins

After a frantic start which saw one goal and three near misses, the game is now settling down into the sort of prolonged Spanish possession with England sitting deep we expected. All of the action taking place in front of a compact England set up at the moment, they'll be more than happy with that.

13 mins 

Physical challenge from Losada leaves Ellen White grounded. While we're waiting, here's the goal...

 

12 mins Spain threat

Putellas volleys weakly straight at Karen Bardsley - chance came from a free kick mysteriously awarded for a non-existent handball 45 yards out. England on the end of some rough decisions from our Italian referee Carina Vitulano so far.

10 mins England close again

A short corner that actually works! My word. Fran Kirby dribbles deep into the Spanish area having picked the ball up off the set piece. Her low cross breaks to Houghton 15 yards out, dead centre, but she thrashes a shot over the bar.

5 mins England goal disallowed

England have the ball in the net for a second time but it's been chalked off controversially. A Nobbs free kick from the right is met powerfully on the far side of the area by Millie Bright and her header loops all the way into the far corner. Flag raised for offside - not against Bright who was onside, presumably against Bronze in the six yard box in front of the keeper but it's very debatable whether she was interfering with play.

 

2 mins GOOOOAAAALLLLLLLL!! ENGLAND 1 Spain 0

Having survived that early scare England storm straight down the other end and Fran Kirby finishes low into the bottom corner, keeping her cool having been played clean through on goal through the left channel. Fantastic start for England.

Fran Kirby celebrates England's opener.

 

1 min

Nearly a disastrous start for England. Heavy rain has left the pitch saturated and Steph Houghton is the first to suffer, losing her footing in her own penalty box and giving Losada a clear sight of goal but she fires high and wide. 

Kick-off

Anthems anthemed, hand-shakes shaken, we are ready to go in Breda.

England go left to right in the first half and if you're watching in black and white, Spain are the team wearing red.

Looking ahead

Team on their way out of the tunnel as I write this. A reminder that the winner of this group will play the runner up in Group C, Group C winner plays Group D runner up.

After two games in Group C Austria and tournament favourites France have four points, Switzerland have three and Iceland are already out having lost both games - denying us a re-run of last summer's fun and games from the men's competition.

 

We've got history

Spain, top scorers in qualifying, beat England with an injury time goal sealing a 3-2 victory in the group stages of this tournament back in 2013. We're ten minutes away from kick off in England's revenge attempt.

Duggan's Way

Before Sampson started talking, the big story ahead of tonight's game was Toni Duggan's impending move from Man City to Spanish giants Barcelona - the first time a British player has moved there since Gary Linekar and something she believes shows how far the women's game has come in the UK in more ways then one.

“The biggest thing that I’ve noticed since the move to Barcelona was announced is just how positive the comments have been. It was not just in the mainstream media, but also on social media. If I compare that to the past, I just used to hear things like ‘nobody cares’ and ‘why is this even news, just get on and announce who the men’s team are signing…’

“As for the media coverage, there wouldn’t have been any even three years ago. You might get the odd sentence, perhaps, like I did when I left Everton for Manchester City, but nobody seemed to really care.

“I saw the Daily Telegraph after my transfer and there was a picture of me on the same page as Lukaku. That just would not have happened in the past. I can remember, at the start of my career there were reports of about 100 words here and there and they would have got your name wrong, or the name of the scorer wrong. It just wasn’t taken seriously at all.

“I was treated as though I was one of the men’s players moving to the best club in the world, it was really encouraging. I’m delighted for women’s football. It wouldn’t have mattered if it was me making the move, or one of my teammates, it is another step in the right direction.”

Toni Duggan starts on the bench tonight.

 

Standings

Here's how the table looks after that Scotland defeat to Portugal - the lowest ranked side in the competition before it started.

 

Dark arts

Spain are eight-places lower than England in the world rankings, and the Three Lions will qualify with a win tonight with a game to spare, but there's been no hint of keeping heads down and getting the job done quietly from manager Mark Sampson.

He used the build up to tonight's match to channel Richard Keys and accuse the Spanish of engaging in the game's "dark arts".

Sampson said: “Spain are one of those teams that, on the one hand, they're the football purists dream. On the other hand, they're incredibly frustrating.

"No one would argue that their tippy-tappy football, their possession based style is pleasing on the eye. If that was just the one element of their game, I think you'd be really happy to go and watch the team. But one of the reasons, I think, people find it hard to fall in love with the Spanish team is because they've got the other bit as well, the indiscipline, the feigning injury, the getting around the referee.

“So, we're aware of the Spanish team in terms of both those qualities and we’ll have to be ready for the potential possession game they'll try and bring to the game – but also those dark arts that aren't the nicest part. You have to manage that side of it.”

Spanish team talk probably doesn't need much additional work.

Mark Sampson arrives for tonight's match.

 

Spain line-up

Spain: Paños; Torrejón, Pereira, Paredes, Corredera; Losada, Meseguer; Putellas, Ouahabi, Hermoso; Sampedro

Scotland beaten again

Spain's team to follow but news in from the other game in Group D where Portugal have beaten Scotland 2-1 to secure their first ever victory in the finals of a major tournament.

The result leaves Scotland's hopes of qualifying for the knock-out phase on the none side of slim. They must hope England win tonight and against Portugal, and then thrash Spain themselves in the final round of matches on Thursday. A draw or a Spain win and they're done.

England unchanged

Mark Sampson, once known as a tinkerer for tinkering's sake, has kept faith with the team that got off to such an explosive start against the Scots. Barcelona-bound Toni Duggan must wait to face a clutch of her future team mates from the bench, despite scoring the sixth goal in the first game.

An unchanged England team lines up as follows...

England:  Bardsley; Stokes, Houghton, Bright, Bronze; Moore, Scott; White, Kirby, Nobbs; Taylor.

 

Welcome

Hello, good evening, and welcome one and all to our live blog of England's second group match of the Women's Euro 2017.

Following the 6-0 thrashing of Scotland in game one, it's Spain tonight in Breda for Mark Sampson's team with the winner a clear favourite to top a group which also includes Portugal.

We'll have live updates and comment throughout the evening, starting with the team news which is coming as fast as I can type it.

England v Spain - match preview

What is it?

It's England's second match in Group D of the Women's Euro 2017 as they take on Spain.

When is it?

It takes place today, so Sunday, July 23.

Where's it being played?

At the Rat Verlegh Stadion in Breda, Holland.

What time is kick-off?

At 7.45pm.

What TV channel is it on?

You can watch live coverage on Channel 4 with the program starting at 7.30pm. Alternatively, you can bookmark this page for our rolling blog.

How did England get on in their opening match?

Pretty good. In fact they walloped rivals Scotland 6-0 with Jodie Taylor scoring a hat-trick. Ellen White, Jordan Nobbs and Toni Duggan completed the rout.

Jodie Taylor scored a hat-trick against Scotland

How about Spain?

They beat Portugal 2-0.

What are they saying?

England manager Mark Sampson has said he believes England are on course to become the world's best team, and he is relishing the opportunity to prove that theory.

"For anyone who's worked so hard at their career to be at one of these events, it'd be stupid and foolish not to enjoy them and really manage that emotion.

"I always look back at the players, and when we first started out and were playing in front of not many spectators there was no pressure on our game.

"It's fun when the pressure comes on, with big crowds and you've got to produce your best. That's when you bring the best out of yourself."

What are the latest odds?

England to win 6/5

Draw 2/1

Spain to win 2/1

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