Sarina Wiegman hailed England’s resilience as they came from behind to beat Spain and reach the Euro 2022 semi-finals.
The Lionesses were six minutes from being knocked out of the tournament on home soil, but Ella Toone took the match to extra-time before Georgia Stanway struck a brilliant long-range winner to seal a memorable comeback.
England now have almost a week off before their last-four clash, which will be against either Sweden or Denmark.
The drama started a few hours before kick-off, when it was confirmed that Wiegman had tested negative for Covid and so could return to be with the squad and take her place on the touchline.
Her presence was a welcome one for England, a string of second-half substitutions changing the game, and the Lionesses boss admitted it was not a match she was going to forget in a hurry.
“The whole game was a test, the level of this game was so high,” Wiegman told the BBC.
“I haven’t experienced that too much. We know Spain are a very good team especially in possession. We did pretty well too.
“In terms of a test and a setback and how we came back, we stuck to it with being together as a team trying to score. Plan B was also [used for] a couple of minutes in and then we scored. Then we went back. I’m so proud of the teams. Incredible.
“The fans behind us, you could feel it. This is home advantage.”
She added: “A crazy day, especially today. I came with the team late, prepared, trying to stay calm yourself. I won’t forget this day.”
