Chloe Kelly proved to be the hero, scoring the profitable penalty that despatched the European champions, England, into the final eight. Their subsequent opponents shall be both Colombia or Jamaica, establishing an thrilling quarter-final conflict.
Throughout the regulation time, England confronted challenges when one in all their gamers was despatched off. Ahead Lauren James, who had been the staff’s high scorer with three targets within the group stage, acquired a purple card within the 87th minute for an ill-tempered stamp on the again of Michelle Alonzi after a tangle between the 2 gamers. Because of this, England performed with 10 ladies all through the additional time.
Regardless of the drawback of being a participant down, England displayed dedication and composure in the course of the penalty shootout. Beth England, Rachel Daly and Alex Greenwood additionally transformed their penalties, contributing to England’s hard-fought victory.
The dramatic match showcased the resilience and talent of the English staff, who now look ahead to their subsequent problem within the Ladies’s World Cup quarter-finals.
England obtained off to a horrible begin within the penalty shootout when Georgia Stanway fired extensive, however Want Oparanozie could not take benefit and missed with an virtually equivalent effort.
Beth England made no mistake, however Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie shot method over high to present England a bonus they by no means surrendered, sealing the win when Chloe Kelly calmly transformed.
The Lionesses, who final yr gained the European Championship at a packed Wembley Stadium in London, had been anticipated to win comfortably in opposition to the world’s 40th ranked staff.
The Nigerians, nevertheless, have proven on this World Cup that they’ve the sport to problem anyone.
They surprised hosts Australia within the group stage, making the most of their velocity within the transition to attain a 3-2 win.
And so they employed the identical ways in opposition to England, whose again three had been recurrently uncovered by the Nigerian assault.
England had began the match strongly and rattled Nigeria within the opening skirmishes because the Lionesses discovered loads of area out extensive.
In addition they managed possession, finishing 173 passes within the first half to Nigeria’s 83.
But it surely was the Nigerians who appeared essentially the most harmful they usually gave the European champions an actual fright on quite a few events.
England-born Ashleigh Plumptre had two golden probabilities to open the scoring, the primary coming within the 16th minute when a strike from exterior the field crashed into the crossbar.
A minute later she compelled a advantageous diving save from Mary Earps.
The Nigerians had eight photographs at purpose within the first half, three greater than England, whose greatest likelihood fell to Alessia Russo within the 23rd minute.
The second half adopted the identical sample as the primary, England dominating possession however Nigeria wanting the extra harmful.
England had a golden likelihood to seal the match with 15 minutes left just for Chiamaka Nnadozie to drag off a advantageous save from Rachel Daly’s highly effective header.
The sport inevitably went to further again and again Nigeria appeared almost definitely, Michele Alozie and Oshoala each going shut, however neither staff might break the impasse.
(With AFP inputs)
