Sarina Wiegman's bold substitutions proved decisive as England fought back to beat Spain 2-1 in the Euro 2022 quarter-final. The Dutch head coach introduced Ella Toone and other fresh legs early in the second half, turning the tide after Spain took the lead. Toone equalised late on, and Georgia Stanway won it with a stunning extra-time strike.
Wiegman's willingness to make tough calls has been a hallmark of her tenure. She substituted England's all-time leading scorer Ellen White and tournament top scorer Beth Mead, a move that could have backfired but instead revitalised the attack. Former England captain Faye White praised the changes, calling them 'the perfect masterclass'.
This is not the first time Wiegman has shown such decisiveness. During the Netherlands' victorious 2017 European Championship campaign, she substituted her captain Mandy van den Berg early in a group game, a move that raised eyebrows but ultimately proved correct. Wiegman's background as a PE teacher has shaped her businesslike yet human approach, endearing her to players.
England now face Sweden in the semi-finals on Tuesday, with Wiegman likely to reshuffle her forward line again. The Lionesses have shown resilience and depth, and with Wiegman at the helm, glory is within reach.
