ENGLAND are THROUGH to the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Nigeria on penalties.
Top scorer Lauren James was sent off in normal time for a STAMP to leave the Lionesses in trouble with the game heading to extra-time.
But they rode out the additional 30 minutes to reach a penalty shootout, where they beat the African side 4-2 thanks to Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty.
- Kick-off time: 8.30am BST
- Stream FREE: BBC One/iPlayer
- England XI: Earps, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Brighton, James, Stanway, Daly, Hemp, Carter, Russo
- Nigeria XI: Nnadozie, Plumptre, Ohale, Demehin, Alozie, Onumonu, Payne, Ucheibe, Ajibade, Ayinde, Kanu
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That’s all from the Brisbane Stadium
England book their place in the quarter-finals in dramatic fashion with a 4-2 win on penalties following a 0-0 draw with Nigeria.
It was far from their best performance, but the Lionesses battled hard to overcome a very well-organised team.
They now face either Jamaica or Columbia in the next round, which is set to take place this Saturday at 11:30am BST.
Until then, thank you for reading!
More worry for Walsh
Keira Walsh was accompanied by two England physios as she left the pitch towards the end of the match.
The midfielder has only just recovered from her knee injury, so there are now some potential doubts surrounding her availability for the next match.
Credit: PA Wiegman reacts to James’ red card
“It was a moment of a split second. It was later in the game so players get tired.
“She’s inexperienced on this stage and had done well but she lost her emotions. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She’s the sweetest person I know.
“Things happen like that and you can’t change it anymore. It’s a huge lesson to learn but it’s not something she really did on purpose. I’ve spoken to her. I just said, ‘That happens sometimes with human beings’.
“You’re in such an intense game, such an emotional game and in a split second she lost her emotions. Of course, she apologised and feels really, really bad. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone.”
Credit: Getty
‘Lauren is magic’
We all know Lauren is magic, she is our weapon and it’s a big loss for us but we can’t change that now.
We have an unbelievable squad and players who can fill in in that position and hopefully we can see her again in the tournament.”
Bethany England
Sarina Wiegman reacts
Speaking to BBC Sport, the England boss said: “We stuck together as a team. It was a very, very hard game and we had a red card.
“We made it through to extra-time and won the penalties. We did that as a team. We kept going. I’m so proud of them.
“It’s a game where emotions are really high, the intensity is so high and it happened in a split second.
“She [Lauren James] got a red card but I haven’t seen it back yet. Those things are also [down to] experience.
“It says so much about the character of our team [to hold on and win on pens]. I’m so proud of them.
“We said before it would not be an easy game, they’re very physical, and tactically difficult. That’s what we saw. We made it through and I’m so happy.”
Credit: Getty Ice Cold
Chloe Kelly’s penalty clocked at 110.79km/h – which would’ve been the fastest goal of the tournament so far, but those in penalty shootouts do not count towards the official standings.
Credit: Getty England set to miss James
Lauren James is set to miss at least one match due to the red card she received today.
The Chelsea star was sent off for stepping on the back of Michelle Alozie in the 87 minute.
The challenge is now expected to be reviewed by FIFA officials, who could choose to extend the suspension to two or three games due to violent conduct.
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Match Report
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.
Mary Earps reacts
“Obviously I’m just happy that we got the job done in the end, and yeah, onto the next.
“I think all the wins are significant, it’s just obviously about trying to get as far in the competition as you possibly can.
“I think Nigeria played really, really well. I don’t think we were at our best and then we went down to 10 and it was a really tough game for us.
“But I’m just buzzing that we got the job done.”
Credit: PA
Chloe Kelly reacts
Speaking to BBC Sport, England’s match winner said: “It’s amazing. Anything that’s thrown at us, we show what we’re capable of.
“We dig deep as a group and we believe in our ability.
“We’ve been practising penalties a lot and, yeah, it’s working! When I walk up to take a penalty, I think, ‘I’m gonna score’. That’s how I look at it.”
“Once I win that mental battle, we’re good.”
On scoring another winning goal, she added: “Nah, [it’s] definitely not [about me]. It’s the team.
“We did in the Euros, we did it in the Finalissima and we did it again here. We keep pushing forward.
“There’s more to come from this special team.”
Credit: Getty Full Time – England 4-2 Nigeria (0-0 AET)
Nigeria must be commended for their outstanding performance today.
The Super Falcons executed their game plan to perfection, limiting England’s attacking trio of Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Lauren James when each of them were on the ball.
Their player-to-player approach saw England create just 12 attempts at goal – only four of which were on target.
Randy Waldrum and his side can be very proud of that display against the European champions.
Full Time – England 4-2 Nigeria (0-0 AET)
Wow! WHAT. A. GAME.
It wasn’t pretty, but England have secured their place in the next round.
They had to dig deep, but the Lionesses got over the line in the end in the most dramatic fashion!
Credit: Getty Full Time – England 4-2 Nigeria (0-0 AET)
England are through to the quarter-finals!
Chloe Kelly is the hero of the hour once again!
Credit: Getty Penalties – England 4-2 Nigeria
Kelly scores!
ENGLAND WIN IT!!!!
Penalties – England 3-2 Nigeria
Ucheibe sends Earps the wrong way!
Penalties – England 3-1 Nigeria
Greenwood scores!
Penalties – England 2-1 Nigeria
Ajibade gets Nigeria on the scoreboard!
Penalties – England 2-0 Nigeria
Daly fires her shot into the roof of the net!
Penalties – England 1-0 Nigeria
Alozie blasts her shot over the bar!
England LEAD!
Penalties – England 1-0 Nigeria
England fires her shot into the top-left corner!
Penalties – England 0-0 Nigeria
Desire first her shot wide as well!
We’re STILL level!
Penalties – England 0-0 Nigeria
Stanway misses!
Extra Time Full Time – England 0-0 Nigeria
And… breathe.
We’re going to penalties!
Credit: Reuters 120. England 0-0 Nigeria
The Lionesses make another change.
Walsh makes her way off the pitch while accompanied by the physios.
She is replaced by Zelem.
Three minutes have been added on.
119. England 0-0 Nigeria
Huge chance for England!
Greenwood sends a long free kick into the Nigeria penalty area from the halfway line.
The Lionesses have almost every player in the box, but Beth England rises to head the ball towards goal.
Her effort flies towards the target, but narrowly misses and runs out for a goal kick.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
