What Spain have found this tournament is largely a bunch of opponents - even the heavily decorated Germany - who have sat back and denied them any room in and around the box.

They've still created chances, but it has resulted in long periods of Spanish possession and ever-growing frustration at this often coming to nothing.

Intriguingly, this confident England side are unlikely to sit back for 90 minutes, especially on home soil. The spaces could be there to exploit.

Let's hope this is two sides throwing haymakers at each for the duration of the contest. If so, we could be about to witness a classic.

In contrast, it has not quite gone to plan for Spain so far.

Ranked seventh in the world, but beginning as favourites, they have not quite hit the same heights as England, winning two of their games and finishing second behind a German side who beat them 2-0.

Their two wins in the group weren't without drama either - they conceded within a minute against Finland but bounced back to win 4-1, before needing a 90th-minute winner over Denmark in their final group game.

The problems started before then, though, with record goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso suffered a sprained knee ligament ahead of the event and Alexia Putellas - the holder of the Ballon d'Or - ruled out on the eve of the tournament after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Take those two out of any side and it's going to suffer.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at the Amex Stadium

The last time England played at the Amex they put eight goals past Norway in a thrashing to set a new tournament record for the biggest winning margin.

That was only last week and England have continued to look confident, creative and composed since.

If the three 'C's are with them again today they will fancy their chances against a Spain side who have got plenty of quality but have underwhelmed so far in the tournament.

Are England feeling any pressure then? Absolutely not.

"You talk about pressure all the time and we talk about football," said manager Sarina Wiegman yesterday.

Off the pitch, they've been the very epitome of warm and endearing, but with that steely glint in the eye that speaks to a job still needing to be done.

On the pitch, things could not have gone much better for the hosts. Maximum points in Group A, 14 goals scored, zero conceded.

They've played with verve and belief and made the country sit up and take notice...

If you had asked England before the start of these European Championships which side they most feared, there is a good chance the answer would have been Spain.

Image source, gett

Jorge Vilda's side were favourites, possessing of some of the finest talents the women's game has ever seen and, along with eight-time winners Germany, were the side likely awaiting the Lionesses in the last eight.

Image source, Getty Images

A lot has happened since then, though...

Image source, Gett