‘we’re Never Beaten’: Esme Morgan Talks Up England’s Mental Toughness At Euros

Esme Morgan says her religion successful nan Lionesses’ unwavering belief that they would overturn a two-goal shortage successful their dramatic last-eight triumph complete Sweden was built connected nan value of England’s substitutes’ bench.

The Lionesses defender, who came connected arsenic 1 of 3 changes successful nan 70th minute, insists that astatine nary constituent did she deliberation nan holders would beryllium knocked retired of nan tourney contempt being 2-0 down.

“I really had a consciousness passim nan game, moreover erstwhile we were down, that it wasn’t our clip to go,” she said. “Sometimes you conscionable person a consciousness of calm, which you can’t explain, of belief that we’re not going to fto this happen. I ever had faith.”

Besides Morgan, Sarina Wiegman was capable to bring connected Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Grace Clinton, Niamh Charles and Michelle Agyemang, who scored England’s equaliser. Their efforts helped book a last-four spot against Italy connected Tuesday, aft a punishment shootout.

Morgan added: “The extent we person successful nan squad is specified an unthinkable point for america to beryllium capable to autumn backmost connected done this tournament. That’s thing we’re going to proceed to trust on. When each of america sat down connected nan chair for nan 2nd half it was just: ‘Be fresh to travel connected and alteration nan game’ – and each of america were. We’ve conscionable sewage specified astonishing character, grit and determination wrong nan group that we’re ne'er beaten.”

Morgan’s ain substitute quality was her awesome tourney debut, and she was thrilled that her mother was location to witnesser it. “It was really, really special,” nan 24-year-old said. “Apparently my mum was sobbing erstwhile I came on, bless her. It was conscionable really bully to get that opportunity. I person been moving difficult passim nan tourney to enactment prepared if I was called on.”

Of nan 19-year-old Agyemang, who scored her 2nd world extremity connected only her 3rd cap, Morgan said: “I’m truthful proud of nan effect she’s been capable to make. That’s doubly now she’s stepped up successful unit situations. She’s personification that we cognize we tin move to successful stressful moments to beryllium a presence, holding nan shot up and linking play, making runs successful behind.

“She’s conscionable truthful chilled and affirmative each nan time, and fresh to return her opportunity. She’s specified a difficult worker successful training and truthful you cognize that successful those moments she’s perfectly fresh to travel connected and make an impact, which is precisely what she did, conscionable getting successful awesome positions astir nan box. She’s proven each nan times that she’s travel connected that she’s fresh to spell and make an effect erstwhile we request it.”

Esme Morgan and chap substitute Chloe Kelly (right) return disconnected aft England’s shootout win. Photograph: Ennio Leanza/AP

England were besides grateful to 2 decisive crosses from nan winger Kelly. “She’s an unthinkable player,” said Morgan. “She’s been training amazingly successful nan past fewer days, scoring a batch of goals, truthful she was precocious connected assurance coming into that game. She seems to thrive connected those moments erstwhile nan squad needs her to propulsion a capacity retired of nan bag. When I saw her trim in, I conscionable knew she was going to onshore it connected someone’s head.

“She had a decisive punishment arsenic good and nether that pressure, location is cipher I’d alternatively person successful that position. She is truthful reliable and truthful composed and calm. She said afterwards she made oculus interaction pinch nan goalkeeper and they were smirking truthful she conscionable started laughing. I conscionable deliberation nan composure successful that moment, to beryllium truthful free and confident, and conscionable laugh, conscionable shows what a superb subordinate she is for stepping up.”

Wiegman must now determine for Tuesday’s semi-final which of her “finishers” should commencement successful Geneva.

Leah Williamson rolled her ankle and near Thursday’s title successful nan first play of other clip but Morgan said England were very optimistic that nan skipper would beryllium fresh capable to look Italy. Whether Morgan plays alongside her from nan commencement is 1 for nan caput coach to ponder.