Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature Tackling trolls: how to support the Guardian’s coverage of women’s football We’re doing our best here at @guardian_sport, but we’d like to do even better. For that to happen we need some help from those who can help. By @SuzyWrack — Marcus Christenson (@m_christenson) July 20, 2022
Four changes for Spain
As expected, Olga Carmona and Marta Cardona come to the Spanish team. So do some of their Real Madrid teammates, Teresa Abelleira and Esther Gonzalez. Lela Ouahabi, Athenea del Castillo, Lucia Garcia and Sheila Garcia are the players left out. I’m a little surprised that Athenea got kicked out as they were good against Denmark. Spain (possible 4-1-2-3) Panos; Batlle, Paredes, Leon, Carmona; Father; Bonmati, Abelleira; Cardona, Gonzalez, Mariona. Subs: Gallardo, Rodriguez, Aleixandri, Andres, Guerrero, Del Castillo, Sarriegi, Ouahabi, L Garcia, Pereira, S Garcia, Pina. Updated at 18.50 BST
England unchanged
As expected, Sarina Wiegman fielded the same lineup for the fourth consecutive game in this tournament. England (4-1-2-3) Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly? Walsh? Stanway, Kirby; Mead, White, Hemp. Subs: Greenwood, Carter, Scott, Parris, Kelly, England, Toone, Roebuck, Wubben-Moy, Russo. Updated at 18.53 BST Jonathan Liew Match Preview “Quick question from an ex living in Norway,” says Brendan Large. “How is the atmosphere around the country in terms of the tournament? Does it compare to the lads last year? I really hope the buzz is as big as I hope it will be.” I live in Orkney, where, I’ll be honest, it’s not the talk of the town. But everything I’ve read and heard suggests that women’s football has never been more popular in England. Not in our lifetime anyway. The difference between this year and Euro 2005, when the brilliant Georgina Turner was one of the few people in England to give the tournament the coverage it deserved, is huge. Updated at 18.52 BST First team news England are expected to remain unchanged, although there is a chance Gilles Scott could come in to add more protection to Fran Kirby’s midfield. I’m overthinking it, aren’t I. Spain are likely to make changes from the team that beat Denmark in their decisive group. The only goal in that game was scored and scored by two substitutes, Marta Cardona and the wonderful left back Olga Carmona. Don’t be surprised if they start. There is also the possibility that Laia Alexandri will return to midfield for Mariona Caldeday to move to the left wing. Updated at 18.41 BST
Wiegman is negative for Covid
This is a huge boost for England: Sarina Wiegman, who missed the game against Northern Ireland due to Covid isolation, will be in the final stretch tonight.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Euro 2022 quarter-final between England and Spain at the Amex Stadium in Brighton. This is where things get real for England. Shockingly, terrifyingly true. Having made it through Group A, England – team and country – must now experience the exquisite torture of the knockout stages. It’s all part of the risky deal struck when the FA applied to host what was then Euro 2021. Hosting increases your chances of winning a tournament, but if you fail, the pain will be much greater. It’s not despair, Laura… In every major tournament, the hosts provide a uniquely compelling story, even more so when they have a realistic chance of going the distance. It’s the moment of their lives, an emotional crescendo of hope, anticipation, joy, fear and sweet Caroline. But once the knockouts begin, there’s always the risk that the music will suddenly stop. Tonight, either England will move within two games of immortality, or we will find out the answer to one of life’s most vexing questions: which tearful song will the BBC use to soundtrack England’s exit montage? The Euro 2022 draw meant England were always going to face a tough quarter-final. Spain are a formidable opponent, even if they are not the same without the injured Alexia Putela and Jenny Hermozo. A month ago Spain was the favorite to win the tournament. Now, after an admittedly difficult group, they are fifth on that list. England can really hurt Spain in transition, especially now that temperatures have dropped to 19C. But they will need to leave their egos in the dressing room, because they are likely to spend large stretches of the game without the ball. This need not be a problem. Indeed, there is an argument to be made that it is the best template for an England win. Germany beat Spain 2-0 in the group stage despite only having 30 percent of the possession. And England won by a similar scoreline at Euro 2017, despite Spain having the ball for 78 per cent of the match. England won’t fear Spain, but then the feeling is mutual. When you keep the ball better than any team in the world, you develop a bulletproof confidence. Spain don’t care what happened in the group stage, especially as England were rarely under pressure in those games. This is the real quiz. I could chat about gegenpressing v tiki-taka, about Lucy Bronze taking on her new Barcelona teammates, about the Manchester derby between Lauren Hemp and Ona Batlle, about Ellen White being one less than Wayne Rooney’s England goal record. But a game like this doesn’t need an endless preview: it’s a European Championship quarter-final between the home team and the pre-tournament favourites. This is. This is the preamble. The winners will play Sweden or Belgium in the semi-final at Bramall Lane next Tuesday. How are the nerves? No, it’s not too early for that. I mean, maybe for the top shelf, but you do what you gotta do. Nights like this don’t come around very often. Start 8 p.m. BST. Updated at 18:40 BST
