ngland are alive at this World Cup, however the Lionesses have been scared like by no means earlier than.

Sarina Wiegman warned within the build-up to this last-16 conflict that Nigeria have been no pushovers, although nobody anticipated a battle like this. England are via to the quarter-finals, however solely after 120 minutes of goalless soccer and a penalty shootout.

Before that, it was an evening of frustration for England, summed up by Lauren James being sent off for a stamp on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie three minutes earlier than the tip of regular time. A younger England star, carrying the No7 shirt, despatched off at World Cup for a second of insanity. Sound acquainted?

Every week in the past, James and England may do no unsuitable at this World Cup as they thrashed China to achieve the final 16. Nigeria, nevertheless, discovered a strategy to tame the Lionesses. This has been the event of the underdog and the African facet confirmed why.

They have been greater than a match for the European champions and created one of the best probabilities over the course of 120 minutes. England, against this, have been toothless and nowhere close to the extent they will play at. Within the primary quarter-hour, it was made clear to England that Nigeria have been up for a battle.

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Even with out Barcelona ahead Asisat Oshoala within the beginning XI, the Super Falcons regarded threatening going ahead. Alozie had a header cleared off the road by Alessia Russo and Ashleigh Plumptre smacked the crossbar, with goalkeeper Mary Earps then making a effective save to disclaim her moments later.

England, even with Keira Walsh again within the midfield after miraculously recovering from a knee damage picked up 10 days in the past, couldn't get going. Walsh was being bypassed because the Lionesses went lengthy, making an attempt to set Lauren Hemp and Russo free down the channels.

It was not till halfway via the primary half that they'd lastly had a shot. A poor clearance landed at Russo’s ft and Chiamaka Nnadozie saved properly to disclaim her. Minutes later, Nnadozie was referred to as into motion once more, as she saved out a volley from Rachel Daly after a nook fell to the wing-back.

England lastly had some momentum and so they thought they'd penalty simply after the half-hour mark. A free-kick got here in and Daly went down after a push from Rasheedat Ajibade. It regarded gentle, however not sufficient for VAR to intervene. It definitely was not a transparent and apparent foul.

Referee Melissa Borjas, nevertheless, was despatched to the pitch-side monitor and reversed her resolution for a spot-kick, a lot to the delight of Nigeria followers. The crowd in Brisbane had been flat at the beginning, however their assist was now being thrown behind the underdogs.

Wiegman’s frustration on the bench was clear to see and the 3-4-1-2 formation that had labored so properly towards China final week, when England received 6-1, was not clicking. There have been no modifications at half-time, although, and the hope for the Lionesses was that Nigeria would tire.

Their depth had made this an exceptionally bodily match, however sustaining that for 90 minutes felt out of the query. Nigeria had simply 40 per cent possession within the first-half, albeit mustering 9 pictures. But the second half started like the primary and, inside minutes, Nigeria ahead Uchenna Kanu hit the highest of the crossbar with a header.

Kanu was inflicting issues out proper and he or she skipped previous Alex Greenwood, fizzing in a low cross that by some means missed everybody. England’s probabilities have been proving few and much between. Russo headed large from a Greenwood free-kick, Daly mistimed an effort from a cross and Hemp had a shot blocked.

The sport was an arm-wrestle and it was drifting Nigeria’s method. Kanu squandered one other good probability from a nook, heading large when she actually needed to hit the goal. Daly had a good higher alternative, and England’s better of the match, with quarter-hour to go. A nook got here in and he or she was unmarked, however her header was straight at Nnadozie. Even with that probability, it felt like Wiegman wanted to make modifications.

The Lionesses’s frustration was evident, and it boiled over as the sport ticked into the ultimate minutes of regular time. James, who had been shackled all evening, tangled with Alozie. When getting up, the Chelsea ahead left a boot on her again. VAR intervened and the preliminary yellow card was rightly was a crimson. England now had a mountain to climb, much more in order they got here went into extra-time.

Nigeria continued to look essentially the most harmful and it felt just like the Lionesses have been simply clinging on to get to penalties.

England have been near-perfect within the shootout. Georgia Stanway missed their first, however they held their nerve and scored all 4 of their others as Nigeria blazed two efforts excessive and large.

The hero was, who else, Chloe Kelly. A yr in the past, she scored the winner as England received the Euros — and this time she smashed dwelling the decisive penalty. Sweet Caroline blared out over the PA audio system and the nation breathed a sigh of reduction.