Former Lioness blasts Spain during Euro 2025 quarter-final win over Switzerland
Spain secured their spot in the last four thanks to goals from Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina, with Switzerland reduced to 10 players late-on following a red card for Noelle Maritz.
Montse Tome's side, who beat England in the 2023 World Cup final and are the main favourites to win Euro 2025, got the job done despite Mariona Caldentey and Alexia Putellas both missing penalties at Stadion Wankdorf.
Spain were hugely frustrated in the first half and it wasn't until the 66th minute they broke the deadlock – the longest they've had to wait for a goal at Euro 2025 – scoring before the 22nd minute in their three group games.
Christiansen, on commentary duties for the BBC, called out Spain's players in the opening 45 minutes for trying to trick the referee into giving fouls.
The former Lioness also mentioned Arsenal's win over Barcelona in the Champions League final last term – in which the Spaniards were 'bullied'.
'The Spanish players are starting to act like they did in the Champions League final, the ones that played for Barcelona,' Christiansen said.
'Arsenal bullied them. I'm starting to see bits of negative body language, appealing for fouls that the referee isn't giving – and they aren't fouls.'
Christiansen also blasted Caldentey and Putellas for failing to score their penalties for Spain in the ninth minute and 99th minute respectively.
The ex-England star, capped 31 times, described Caldentey's penalty as 'really poorly executed' and Putellas' spot-kick as 'terrible'.
Speaking after the match, Christiansen added: 'Based on tonight's performance, I don't think Spain would [get to the final] because France and Germany would [have beaten them].
'I also think Laia Aleixandri was lucky to stay on the pitch. Spain will know they have to improve if they are to beat France or Germany.
'Spain will take confidence after being poor this evening and getting the job done.'
Meanwhile, a number of former England players hailed Switzerland for their performance after the match despite their loss to Spain.
Former England defender Anita Asante told the BBC: 'We knew it would be nothing short of a miracle for Switzerland to get a result tonight, but they can take heart and credit for their performance. More Trending
'This is a young team, they will bounce back and qualify for many competitions to come.
They held Spain for about 60 odd minutes until they scored. That's incredible, they made it difficult, this is a world class outfit but they were frustrated by Switzerland.'
Ex-England captain Steph Houghton added: 'Switzerland have done everyone proud. They're on their own journey to create a legacy.
'For those young players, it is an experience they can build on and get better.'
MORE: Sweden coach slammed after England defeat at Euro 2025 over 'unfair' penalty taker choice
MORE: England vs Italy: When is the Euro 2025 semi-final and how to watch on TV
MORE: Sarina Wiegman responds to Lucy Bronze's iconic celebration in England's win over Sweden
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Marcus Rashford takes to the skies as Barcelona move appears close
Marcus Rashford appears to be closing in on his anticipated move to Barcelona after posting pictures of himself travelling on a private plane. Following Rashford's post, Spanish media reported that the Manchester United forward had arrived in Catalonia at around 9.30pm local time. The PA news agency understands United and Barcelona have been in talks over a season-long loan deal for Rashford that would include an option to buy. The 27-year-old has not played for his boyhood club since being hauled off in a Europa League match away to Viktoria Plzen on December 12 and ended the season on loan at Aston Villa. Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances. He has been training away from Ruben Amorim's first team since pre-season began while seeking a fresh start elsewhere. In December, the England international admitted he was 'ready for a new challenge' and last month revealed he would like to play alongside Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. Barcelona sporting director Deco in May told Catalan radio station RAC1 that the club 'like' Rashford, who does not have a squad number at United having lost the 10 shirt to new signing Matheus Cunha. Cunha is one of two new signings at United this summer, with the club having also added left-back Diego Leon. Bryan Mbeumo is set to join them at Old Trafford, with the Cameroon forward in the final stages of completing his move after United finally struck a deal with Brentford worth £65million plus up to £6million in add-ons.
Times
11 minutes ago
- Times
Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang rescued England — keep them on bench
Just as it appeared that Sarina Wiegman had found her best XI, last Thursday's Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden has thrust the head coach's line-up back into flux. That game was transformed once Wiegman made four substitutions in the closing stages, helping the Lionesses to recover from 2-0 down before winning on penalties. By the second half of extra time, England had six substitutes on the pitch. So England should start Tuesday's semi-final against Italy with the same XI that finished the quarter-final, right? Of course, it's not that simple. Implementing wholesale changes could result in an unfamiliar style that England cannot execute, and may fail to recognise how Italy pose a different challenge to Sweden. Furthermore, England's substitutes — the self-proclaimed 'positive clicks' — seem relatively content in their impact roles. But after starting so poorly last Thursday, Wiegman surely has to make adjustments. What should change, and where must she preserve the status quo? Defence: the Carter dilemma and persisting with Greenwood Jess Carter struggled against Sweden's pace and power. She and Leah Williamson swapped centre-back positions to take Carter away from Sweden's dangerous right-sided attackers, before the Gotham FC defender was substituted in the 70th minute. Carter also floundered at left back in England's tournament-opener defeat by France, and Italy may pinpoint her as a weakness. Yet Carter's on-pitch capabilities are merely part of Wiegman's dilemma. The 27-year-old revealed on Sunday that she had been subjected to racist abuse on social media, and England will stop taking a knee before matches as a result. Wiegman must deduce whether any improvements to the team from dropping Carter outweigh the potential psychological ramifications of the decision. Esme Morgan would be a solid replacement. The Washington Spirit defender, 24, is taller and more mobile than Carter, meaning she is better at dealing with one-on-one situations and passes over the top. Carter is better on the ball but Italy's press is among the most conservative in the tournament, so Morgan's limitations in this area should be mitigated. By the end of the Sweden game, Niamh Charles was playing left back and, given she has been derided for defensive mishaps this year, played well. However, whether she has 90 (or 120) minutes of good defending in her is uncertain. Consequently, Alex Greenwood should continue at left back. Greenwood's aerial presence — she plays centre back for Manchester City — could neutralise Italy's penchant for long, diagonal passes. The big caveat is Williamson's ankle injury, even though Morgan said England were 'very optimistic' that the captain would recover for Tuesday. If this verdict proves misleading, then the most in-form back four would be Lucy Bronze, Morgan, Greenwood, Charles. Midfield: not the time for panic England's starting midfield was also poor during the Sweden game, but the trio of Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone clicked nicely in the previous two matches against Wales and the Netherlands. Sticking with this midfield feels prudent, partly because the alternatives are not hugely appealing. That there are no natural replacements for Walsh or Stanway is a long-term concern for Wiegman, but not one to be addressed in the final week of a major tournament. Further forward, removing Toone and restoring Lauren James in a free-roaming No10 role would risk resurrecting the midfield troubles of the France game. Switching to a back three could also leave the midfield overwhelmed, as it was against France. With the exception of a friendly featuring a heavily rotated XI against Switzerland last December, England have not used this system since the 2023 World Cup. A midfield of Walsh and James helped England come back last Thursday, but the frantic state of the game created unique circumstances. For Tuesday, the more balanced midfield of Walsh, Stanway and Toone makes sense. Attack: keep holding back the game-changers While Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang were pivotal against Sweden, both may profit from staying on the bench for now. Kelly is an ideal impact substitute. As she displayed on Thursday, in contributing two assists before scoring a penalty in the shoot-out, she has the direct style to beat tiring defenders and relishes the role of England's saviour. Her forceful out-of-possession work is useful from the start when the opponent has control of the game, but England should have more of the ball than Italy. Meanwhile, starting Agyemang would probably mean playing alongside Alessia Russo, and both forwards are keen to drift away from the No9 position and play with their back to goal. Russo and Agyemang as a striker duo is a fascinating concept but, considering they are not natural foils for one another, perhaps best left as an experiment after the Euros. The 19-year-old Agyemang, like Kelly, is a brilliant option off the bench. If England are to make a change up front, perhaps Beth Mead for Lauren Hemp is the choice. Mead possesses the subtle passing and movement to break down a stubborn Italy, and Hemp had an uncharacteristically quiet game against Sweden.
Scottish Sun
40 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Manchester City ace John Stones ties the knot with girlfriend Olivia Naylor in intimate Ibiza wedding
Stones popped the question after England lost to Spain in the Euros final last summer JOHN ME WED, SON! Manchester City ace John Stones ties the knot with girlfriend Olivia Naylor in intimate Ibiza wedding Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAN City defender John Stones is now united — after marrying his fiancée. The Manchester City centre-back, 31, tied the knot with stunning property developer Olivia Naylor, 36, in an intimate ceremony in Ibiza. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 John Stones and girlfriend Olivia Naylor, pictured at a friend's wedding, have tied the knot at an intimate ceremony in Ibiza 3 Olivia watching John play for England last year Credit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) 3 The star popped the question after England lost to Spain in the Euros final last summer Credit: Getty They wed in front of just 40 guests at the ultra-exclusive Hacienda Na Xamena on the holiday isle. The couple exchanged their vows on Friday before hosting a champagne pool party to celebrate the following day. A source said: 'They love Ibiza and wanted to marry in their favourite place. 'They invited just 40 of their closest friends and family and spread it out over four days. 'They organised a pre-wedding party with all the guests wearing white, except the bride and groom and the three kids who were in black. 'The wedding itself was beautiful and everything they dreamed it would be. 'Everyone is absolutely thrilled for them.' Stones, who has played in every major tournament for the Three Lions since the World Cup in 2018, popped the question after England lost to Spain in the Euros final last summer. He took her away for a sunshine break in the wake of the heartache and dropped to one knee. Olivia celebrated her engagement with an 'intimate' dinner party for close friends. Inside hidden meaning behind Man City star John Stones' incredible leg tattoo that he says shows his 'dreams come true' She then jetted out for a hen party in Las Vegas as Stones played for Manchester City in the Club World Cup. They returned to the UK before flying out to Ibiza over a week ago. They couple began dating in 2019 and had their first child together in January 2023. Olivia gave birth just weeks after Stones returned from the World Cup in Qatar.
