In the first of four quarter-finals in the tournament, the hosts faced Spain, who had reached this stage for a third-consecutive Championship and were aiming to match their best ever performance from 1997, when they made the final four.

The visitors to the American Express Community Stadium faced a side that had scored 14 goals in the group stages - a record at the Women's European Championship at that stage.

Spain looked the better of the two sides in the first-half, dominating the match, but were unable to score as it stayed goalless after 45 minutes.

A breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute when Esther González put them in front, disappointing the home crowd.

From there, England looked more fired up and eventually scored the equaliser with six minutes of normal time to go when substitute Ella Toone volleyed the ball from a flick-on by Alessia Russo.

The tide seemed to turn in Brighton as England started the first period of extra-time with confidence and took their chance when Georgia Stanway floated home a screamer from outside the box in the 95th minute, clinching a 2-1 win for the hosts.

This sends England into the semi-finals for the third time in the past four editions of the tournament.

They are due to face the winner of Sweden against Belgium, to be played on Friday (July 22).

Germany face Austria tomorrow at the Brentford Community Stadium in London.