Lionesses Can Follow Germany's Method To Crack Spain

But is Wiegman's haphazard winning machine able to cede possession and set up a smash and grab triumph?

- Nick Ames

Deep down, England always knew it would come to this. They woke yesterday with their assignment crystal clear: outwit a seemingly invincible Spain if they are to cement their place in history and retain the European Championship title on Sunday.

A thankless task? It has been billed that way, but there was encouragement during a semi-final in Zurich that Spain could easily have lost. For the first time this summer they were taken to the wire, and the thought occurred that, if a weakened Germany could run them to within an Aitana Bonmatí masterstroke of the full distance, the Lionesses' haphazard winning machine stands a fighting chance of curtailing the favourites' party.

"I feel like the hard work has paid off," the Spain manager, Montse Tomé, said after they had edged through. They were tested to the limit by a Germany team that squeezed space and, when opportunities arose, flooded forward. The goalkeeper Cata Coll made a handful of decisive saves, and England will spend the coming days poring over the ways in which she can be exposed further.