Captain Leah Williamson says England are feeling assured heading into Wednesday’s Euro 2022 quarter-final towards Spain as they appear to maintain up their wonderful kind from the group stage.
The match on the Amex Stadium will see the Lionesses for the primary time on the match tackle a crew ranked greater than them, with Spain mendacity one place greater in seventh.
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England are returning to the stadium in Brighton after profitable 8-0 there towards Norway of their second group recreation, the largest victory in Euros historical past. In addition they beat Austria 1-0 and Northern Eire 5-0 both aspect as they certified for the final eight as Group A winners.
Williamson mentioned of Spain, the Group B runners-up who beat Finland 4-1, misplaced 2-0 to Germany after which defeated Denmark 1-0, mentioned: “They’re a crew we clearly massively respect. The way in which they play soccer is sweet to look at they usually’re all a product of that very same type, all of the gamers are on the identical web page.
“They undoubtedly have a whole lot of threats. However I believe we’re a crew that, regardless of our rating, is in fine condition, in good kind and hopefully our threats are sufficient.
“Clearly it’s knockout soccer, the sport modifications when you get by the group, the character of the sport is completely different. There can be one winner and that’s it.
“We all know the scenario, however we select to have a look at it as a possibility, and we’re assured. We’re in good kind, and hopefully we will do what we’ve got been doing on this match tomorrow night time.”
On returning to the scene of the record-breaking win over Norway, Williamson added: “We’ve been right here, we’re conversant in the stadium, and in addition naturally having good reminiscences, I don’t assume it can damage. Hopefully we will use that to our benefit.”
England have reached the semi-finals at every of their final three main tournaments, and Williamson mentioned: “I believe undoubtedly whenever you’ve performed one thing earlier than it turns into simpler the subsequent time helps, so for certain it’s a bonus that we’ve got been in these positions.
“However a knockout recreation is a knockout recreation, and a match is a brand new match, so it’s important to be prepared for something, and I don’t assume you’ll be able to financial institution on that have – it simply is a bonus going into it.”
Williamson was requested if the feedback of Northern Eire boss Kenny Shiels would fireplace the crew up – who, after his aspect’s defeat to England at St Mary’s on Friday, mentioned it might be a “large failure” if the hosts didn’t win the match.
The Arsenal defender mentioned: “He’s clearly entitled to his opinion. It’s fascinating to listen to, however no, I don’t assume so.
“I believe we all know what we wish to do and we all know what we dream of, and the journey that it’s important to go on to attain that. So it’s not simply so simple as that – if it was, glad days. But it surely’s not so simple as that, and I believe we’re centered sufficient on the everyday to not let that have an effect on us.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman was absent for Friday’s recreation after testing constructive for coronavirus and mentioned earlier on Tuesday she was “feeling properly” and “very hopeful” as she waited to see if she may attend the Spain match.
Williamson mentioned: “Clearly it will likely be a a large bonus for us. We’re sturdy sufficient to outlive with out her, as we confirmed the opposite day, however I believe to have her again could be nice.”
