Sentence:  England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is <WSD>earned</WSD> easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.