Euro 2022: A Gunners guide to the quarter-finals

14 days and 24 fixtures later, we have reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 and there are still eight Gunners remaining.

There’s been so much to celebrate - not only about our players, but the roaring success of the tournament too.

Off the pitch, we’ve seen attendance records tumble and viewing figures like never before, while on it we’ve been treated to goals galore. In fact, there have never been more in the group stage of a women’s Euros.

But we’re into the business end of the tournament now, and you’ve come to the right place for a Gunners guide to the quarter-finals.

ENGLAND v Spain

THE STORY SO FAR…

Hosts England were considered one of the pre-tournament favourites, and their results and performances so far have certainly backed that up.

With three wins from three and a remarkable 14 goals along the way, the Lionesses were able to set a new record for the most group stage goals in Euros history, led by Beth Mead who has struck five times in her opening three games.

They’ve been solid in defence too, reaching the quarter-finals as one of only two sides who are yet to concede a goal in the competition.

It seems like Sarina Wiegman’s experience in the competition is already paying off, but in the form of Spain, England will face their toughest test yet on Wednesday night.

With a squad stacked full of technical ability, Jorge Vilda’s side have looked sharp in possession and during the build-up phase, but have perhaps lacked a clinical edge so far in the absence of Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso.

GROUP STAGE RESULTS (1ST PLACE)

England 1-0 Austria: Mead (16)

England 8-0 Norway: Stanway PEN (12), Hemp (15), White (29 41), Mead (34 38 81), Russo (66)

Northern Ireland 0-5 England: Kirby (41), Mead (45), Russo (48 53), Burrows OG (76)

KEY STATS AND FACTS

England meet Spain for a third time at Women's Euros
England have successfully navigated the group phase for the third time in four Euros
The winners of this tie will face either Sweden or Belgium in the last four at Bramall Lane on 26 July
The sides have already met this year on English soil, playing out a goalless draw in a friendly in Norwich in February
England's three competitive victories against Spain have all come when keeping a clean sheet
Beth Mead (5) is the current top scorer and top assist provider (3) at Euro 2022
Mead became the first England player to score in three consecutive Euros matches by finding the net in all three Group A fixtures
She could become only the second player to score six goals in a single Euros finals after Germany's Inka Grings in 2009

GERMANY v AUSTRIA

THE STORY SO FAR

An organised and resilient defensive unit right from the start, Austria have been a fine example of hard work and coaching throughout the tournament so far.

With three goals scored and only one conceded, Irene Fuhrmann's side kept things tight to secure a second-place finish in Group A, frustrating teams at the back and picking the right moments to push forward.

Laura Wienroither delivered an outstanding individual performance on the opening night of the tournament to keep out Lauren Hemp, while Manuela Zinsberger has been her consistent and reliable self, claiming crosses with confidence and making a number of vital saves.

Their opponents Germany, however, will provide tough opposition on Thursday night. With three wins from three, including a dominant 2-0 victory over Spain, and three clean sheets, Austria will need to be firing on all cylinders to progress to the semi-finals.

GROUP STAGE RESULTS (2ND PLACE)

England 1-0 Austria: Mead (16)

Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland: Schiechtl (19), Naschenweng (88)

Austria 1-0 Norway: Billa (37)

KEY STATS AND FACTS

This will be the first-ever competitive fixture between the two sides
Austria have managed to reach the knockout stages in both their Euros appearances to date
Germany have progressed from the group stage in all seven editions of the tournament since it was introduced in 1997
The winners of this tie will take on France or the Netherlands in the semi-finals in Milton Keynes on July 27
Austria have kept six clean sheets in their eight Euros finals games, conceding just two goals
Austria's 1-0 Matchday 1 loss to England is their only Euros defeat inside 90 minutes
Manuela Zinsberger has kept clean sheets in each of her last two appearances

SWEDEN v BELGIUM

THE STORY SO FAR

Sweden finished top of Group C on goal difference, but head coach Peter Gerhardsson will certainly feel like there’s more to come from his side.

Following a tightly-contested draw with the Netherlands and a hard-fought victory over Switzerland, Sweden delivered an encouraging attacking performance against Portugal, displaying the smooth and free-flowing football that they’re so capable of.

Stina Blackstenius played a big part in that victory, leading the line with class before opening her account at the tournament deep into stoppage time. The 26-year-old registered six attempts on target in the group stage; no player managed more.

That will certainly be a worry for Belgium, who have advanced to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history.

GROUP STAGE RESULTS (1ST PLACE)

Netherlands 1-1 Sweden: Roord (52); Andersson (36)

Sweden 2-1 Switzerland: Rolfö (53), Bennison (79); Bachmann (55)

Sweden 5-0 Portugal: Angeldal (21, 45), Costa OG (45+7), Asllani PEN (54), Blackstenius (90+1)

KEY STATS AND FACTS

Sweden, in search of a first continental title since 1984, take on Belgium for the first time at a major tournament
Sweden's qualification ensured they have reached at least the last eight of this tournament in all their 11 appearances
The winners of this tie will face either England or Spain in the semi-finals in Sheffield on July 26
Sweden's record in last-eight ties at the Women's Euro finals is W1 L2; their only success at this stage came as hosts in 2013, winning 4-0 against Iceland
Five of Belgium's six finals goals have come in the second half of matches
Blackstenius’ goal in added time against Portugal on Matchday 3 was her third in five starts at the Euros
Blackstenius struck in Sweden's quarter-final ties at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic tournaments, and the 2019 World Cup

FRANCE v NETHERLANDS

THE STORY SO FAR

Despite progressing through to the knockout stage, the Netherlands have been far from their best at Euro 2022 and will need the return of Vivianne Miedema to rejuvenate their frontline.

The 26-year-old has been unavailable for selection against Switzerland and Portugal after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, leaving Mark Parsons to find other solutions. That crucial 4-1 victory over Switzerland looks convincing on paper, but it could have easily gone the other way until Lia Walti was forced off through injury.

The Netherlands have struggled defensively, conceding space in transition and failing to keep a single clean sheet, yet they found a way to get the job done, and with the potential return of Miedema, anything is possible.

Their upcoming opponents on Saturday night, France, will certainly put their defensive credentials to the test, even without star forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto. France fired five past Italy in their opening group stage fixture and are capable of outscoring any side in the competition.

GROUP STAGE RESULTS

Netherlands 3-2 Portugal: Egurolla (7), van der Gragt (16), van de Donk (62); Costa PEN (38), Silva (47)

Switzerland 1-4 Netherlands: Reuteler (53); Crnogorcevic OG (49), Leuchter (84, 90+5), Pelova (89)

KEY STATS AND FACTS

The Netherlands have progressed on each of the two occasions they have reached the quarter-finals
This is a fourth consecutive Euros quarter-final for France, who have lost each time at this stage
The Netherlands have only scored twice prior to half-time in their games but have netted six second-half strikes, the most of all teams
France have lost star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto to an ACL knee injury
The winners of this tie will take on Germany or Austria in the semi-finals in Milton Keynes on July 27
Vivianne Miedema has scored 94 goals in 112 appearances for the Netherlands and is their all-time leading goalscorer