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      Fears Lauren James could MISS rest of World Cup with Fifa set to review England star’s red card stamp

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      SARINA WIEGMAN has backed Lauren James to learn “a huge lesson” following her red card for treading on a Nigeria player.The ten-player Lionesses still sealed a quarter-final spot with a dramatic 4-2 shootout win over the Super Falcons.
      Lauren James could miss the rest of the World Cup after stamping on Michelle AlozieCredit: Getty
      Sarina Wiegman defended James saying there was no malice in the stampCredit: Getty
      But Chelsea forward James could potentially face a three-match ban for stepping on Michelle Alozie’s back.
      Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman said: “It’s a huge lesson to learn but it’s not something she has done on purpose. She is the sweetest person.
      “Look, that happens sometimes with human beings, they are in such a high intensity, emotional game, and in a split second she lost her emotions.
      “She apologised and she felt really, really bad.
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      “But she doesn’t want to hurt anyone.”
      James, 21, has been among England’s best performers during the World Cup and one of the tournament’s standout young stars.
      She shone during their group stage defeat of Denmark and 6-1 thumping of China where she netted a brace in the contest for the first time in her career.
      The versatile forward gets an automatic one-match ban for her 87th-minute red card in the 0-0 draw.
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      But Fifa disciplinary chiefs have the power to extend that to three, meaning she would play no further part in the tournament.
      Wiegman said: “This was a moment, it was a split second. It was later in the game, so players also got a little tired.
      “She’s an inexperienced player on this stage and, yes, things happen like that.”
      Losing James — whose dismissal echoed David Beckham’s at the 1998 World Cup and Wayne Rooney in 2006 — will be a blow to the European champions as they bid to win their first-ever global trophy.

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      England will play the winner of Colombia vs Jamaica in the last eight after Euros hero Chloe Kelly smashed home the winning spot-kick.
      Wiegman said: “I’m proud of the team. We stuck together and showed resilience.”
      On the red card, ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey said: “James can have no complaints.
      “Although her foot did not come down with force on Alozie’s back, she knew exactly what she was doing and ran the risk by placing it there and got punished.
      “When it went to VAR, it was always going to be a red for violent conduct and James will regret it because she did not need to do that.” More

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      Australia World Cup goal hero Hayley Raso thought she would NEVER play again after breaking her back in horror injury

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      HAYLEY RASO has continued to shine for Australia at this year’s Women’s World Cup.But just five years ago, she thought her football career was over.
      Raso has scored three goals for Australia during the Women’s World CupCredit: AP
      The winger has been one of the stars of the tournament so farCredit: Getty
      But just five years ago, she had to learn to walk again after suffering a broken backCredit: YouTube/Hayley Raso
      In August 2018, while playing for National Women’s Soccer League side Portland Thorns, the winger suffered a traumatic back injury during a match against Washington Spirit.
      The freak injury, caused by an accidental collision which saw the Washington goalkeeper’s knee dig into her back, left Raso wondering if she’d ever be able to play football again.
      Just two months after the incident, the Australia international told ABC: “I couldn’t do anything at that moment, I was just in so much pain, I couldn’t move my body.
      “I can remember just saying: ‘Help me, help me’. I knew that something bad had happened.
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      “My athletic trainer came onto the field and she was asking me: ‘Can you feel your legs, can you wiggle your toes?’
      “I was just thinking, you know, I have been hit in the back and I know these injuries can be serious.”
      At the age of just 23, Raso feared that she would never walk or play sport again.
      But in the days that followed the horrific ordeal – which saw her break three vertebrae – she received positive news from doctors.
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      She added: “A neurosurgeon came in and spoke to me and said: ‘You will recover from this, it’s going to be hard, but you will play again.’
      “In that moment I felt such relief because I had all these things in my head that I thought I was going to have to go through.”
      The winger spent a week-and-a-half in hospital before being moved to a local rehabilitation centre, where she gradually had to learn to walk again.
      Speaking about her rehab journey, Raso told ABC: “It was hard. I couldn’t even move or roll over in bed let alone stand up.
      “I had a few episodes where I passed out because of the pain and I went into shock.
      “Eventually I was able to get up, slowly and with a lot of help.
      “I was firstly in a wheelchair then I went to using a walking frame and I was just taking really small steps trying to get around the hospital.”
      Just six months after sustaining the traumatic injury, Raso returned to the pitch in a Cup of Nations match.
      And, she incredibly scored for Australia against New Zealand within a matter of minutes.
      Fast-forward four years and she is now one of Australia’s Women’s World Cup heroes.
      Read More on The Sun
      She scored twice for the Matildas during the group stages of the tournament before helping them to the quarter-finals with a goal against Denmark.
      Raso joined European giants Real Madrid before the World Cup kicked off following an impressive two-year spell with Manchester City. More

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      England Lionesses duo get matching tattoos on Women’s World Cup duty as pair ‘complete’ each other

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      RACHEL DALY and Millie Bright have got matching tattoos at the Women’s World Cup.The England pair have celebrated their friendship by getting inked in Australia during the tournament.
      Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have got matching tattoosCredit: Getty
      The pals got matching ink at the Women’s World CupCredit: Rex
      Daly and Bright have been pals for years and always planned to get matching tattoos together.
      However, they have revealed they had not found the right one until heading Down Under.
      The pair have got the fraction “1/2” tattooed on their hands to signify that they are not complete without each other.
      Daly explained: “It took us ages to find the right one and we ended up going with a half on our hands because she is the other half of me, my life is not complete without her.”
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      Although they have never played together at club level, both Lionesses grew up in Yorkshire.
      Bright was raised in Chesterfield, with Daly born in nearby Harrogate.
      Their roots played a part as Daly claims she knew they would be friends for life from the moment they met.
      She added: “[Bright] first came into the squad, it was only a couple of camps after me, and we just hit it off straight away.
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      “It was probably that Yorkshire connection – loud. We always knew, we kind of knew each other when she was at Donny and I was at Leeds and we never looked back.
      “We always wanted to get a tattoo together, like a bestie tattoo.”
      Both players have starred at the Women’s World Cup, with Bright captaining the Lionesses at the tournament.
      As for Daly, she has shown her versatility by already appearing in defence, midfield and attack for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
      The Aston Villa star also netted from the penalty spot during England’s shootout victory over Nigeria on Monday.
      Her and the rest of the squad will now look ahead to a quarter-final clash against either Colombia or Jamaica this weekend.
      Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have been friends for yearsCredit: Rex More

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      England vs Nigeria LIVE SCORE: Lionesses THROUGH to World Cup quarter-final on penalties – latest updates

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      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

      England vs Nigeria: Betting tips, best odds and preview for Women’s World Cup clash
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      Follow all the action with our live blog below…
      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 Englandon James’ red card
      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.
      Credit: Getty
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      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.
      Load more entries… More

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      England given World Cup knockout clash boost with Keira Walsh’s return to team training following injury

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      KEIRA WALSH has given England a fitness boost by returning to team training earlier today before their World Cup clash with Nigeria on Monday. This comes two days after the Barcelona midfielder was spotted training alone for the first time since her injury scare last Friday.
      Keira Walsh was all smiles at England’s training session ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash with NigeriaCredit: Getty
      Walsh returned to training with her team-mates for the first time since being stretchered off after injuring her knee during England’s defeat of DenmarkCredit: PA
      Her ongoing recovery will come as welcome news to Lionesses fans with her side aiming to claim a quarter final spot in the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. 
      Walsh, 28, has stepped up her rehab since damaging her knee during the Lionesses’ World Cup group stage defeat of Denmark 
      The England ace has been out of match action since being stretchered close to half time of that match on July 28. 
      Earlier this week the FA revealed the midfielder, who missed her side’s 6-1 demolition of China on Tuesday, had been put on an individual training programme. 
      read more football stories
      And she was seen at the Lionesses’ Central Coast Stadium training base on Friday for the first time since officials confirmed she had not sustained an ACL injury. 
      It is not yet known whether Walsh will feature for England in their last-16 duel against Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium at 08:30 UK time. 
      Their clash with the 11-time Women’s African Cup of Nations champs will be one of the sternest tests they have faced this year. 
      The Super Falcons have already proven they are a match for teams inside Fifa’s top ten.
      Most read in Football
      Their group stage run saw them beat tournament co-hosts Australia and snatch a draw with Canada. 
      Nigeria aces Ashleigh Plumptre and Glory Ogbonna will be aiming to help the Super Falcons reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time everCredit: Getty
      Following Germany’s shock exit the Lionesses’ will be wary of becoming the latest football giants undone at the tournament. 
      Wiegman’s side, who conceded just once in the World Cup’s group stages, have emerged as firm contenders to lift the trophy. 
      On Friday forecasting research firm Nielsen revealed England have now overtaken the USA as favourites to go all the way in this year’s contest. More

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      Fifa launches urgent investigation into Women’s World Cup coach over claims he ‘rubbed player’s breasts’

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      FIFA has launched an urgent investigation into a Women’s World Cup coach over claims he rubbed a player’s breasts. Bruce Mwape, the coach of Zambia, has been accused of rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players just two days before the team won their first match.
      Zambia head coach Bruce Mwape is accused of sexual misconductCredit: Getty
      The squad took to the field against Costa Rica in New Zealand on Monday, coming out on top 3-1 and placing third in their group.
      An insider has now claimed several players saw Mwape rub his hands over the chest of a teammate on the Friday.
      The source close to the team told the Guardian: “It’s not appropriate for a coach to be touching a player’s breasts.”
      Fifa today confirmed it was investigating an “allegation of misconduct” involving the Zambian team.
      Read more on football
      The football giant said: “Fifa takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident.
      “We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to the Zambian women’s national team and this is currently being investigated. We cannot provide further details regarding an ongoing investigation for obvious confidentiality reasons.
      “Anyone who wishes to report allegations or information related to abuse in football can do so via Fifa’s confidential reporting platform, with all information that is submitted to Fifa handled in the strictest of confidence.
      “In addition, Fifa offers support and assistance to ensure the safety of those who report a safeguarding issue, including witnesses who come forward and give testimony in Fifa judicial cases.
      Most read in Football
      “Where guilt is established, Fifa takes the strongest possible sanctions, including removing people from the game for life. Our track record demonstrates this.”
      Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Mwape, who has been leading the team since 2018, did not respond to the Guardian’s requests for comment. More

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      Germany boss Voss-Tecklenburg calls her team’s shock Women’s World Cup exit ‘a disaster’ after Morocco reach knockouts

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      MARTINA VOSS-TECKLENBURG admits it’s hard not to see Germany’s shock World Cup departure as anything but a disaster. On Thursday she became the first boss in charge of a German women’s national side that failed to reach the competition’s knockout stages.
      Alexandra Popp’s goal was not enough to prevent Germany from being knocked out at the World Cup’s group stage for the first time everCredit: Getty
      Germany’s early exit comes eight month’s after their male counterparts failed to reach the knockouts of the men’s tourmanent in QatarCredit: Getty
      Morocco became third side from Africa to reach the World Cup’s last 16 this summerCredit: Alamy
      Her team once again saw their major tournament hopes dashed by Lionesses, albeit a side that hails from north Africa. 
      Germany’s 1-1 draw with South Korea contributed to their early exit along with Morocco’s gritty 1-0 win against Group H leaders Colombia.
      The surprise result saw last year’s Women’s African Cup of Nations finalists, reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time ever. 
      And Germany’s exit comes eight months after their male counterparts bowed out at the group stage of the men’s contest in Qatar.
      Read More Football Stories
      Voss-Tecklenburg, whose side were among the favourites to win the tournament, said: “If you want to see it as a disaster in sporting terms, then it’s hard to argue against it. 
      “Our team of coaches will talk about what happened of course and what we could have done differently, 
      “But it’s not something I can analyse one and half hours after exiting.
       “Of course I’m disappointed, of course I’m frustrated. 
      Most read in Football
      “Overall we never really played our game the way we know we can.” 
      Germany’s only goal of the game came through their star striker Alexandra Popp who also scored in every single match she played for the team at last year’s Euros. 
      The Wolfsburg star headed home close to half time cancelling out South Korea captain Cho So-hyun’s sixth minute opener.
      Popp, 32, who has netted 67 times for her national team, was left flummoxed by their surprise early World Cup exit. 
      After the game she said: “To be honest I can’t comprehend it. I don’t know what I should really say. 
      “I can’t really understand what has happened to be honest. 
      Voss-Tecklenburg, 55, who has been in charge of Germany since 2019, remained tight-lipped in response to questions concerning her future.
      Then team have often been seen as one the giants of the tournament having won it twice in 2003 and 2007. 
      And a team that featured Voss-Tecklenburg as a player finished as runners-up in 1995. 
      Of their World Cup exit, she added: “In our squad we’ve tried to change certain things and adapt, but we weren’t successful.
      “What it’s about now is how we rise again and not give up. We love this sport, but we need to let this sink in. 
      “I don’t want to look for excuses for anything. If the result isn’t what you want, then of course you’ve got to accept that responsibility.”
      South Africa’s defeat of Italy saw them claim a place in this year’s World Cup knockout stageCredit: AP
      Nigeria will face England in a last-16 duel in Brisbane on MondayCredit: Getty
      Morocco’s 1-0 defeat of Colombia saw them claim second spot in Group H. 
      Read More on The Sun
      And it also saw the battling tournament debutants help their continent make history in the contest. 
      For the first time three African nations have reached the knockout stage at the same time.  More

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      How Lioness Lauren James could become first female Pele and brother Reece claims she’s better than some male Prem stars

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      ONCE upon a time little girls dreamt of being fairytale princesses and finding their happy ever after with a handsome prince.Today they fantasise about becoming England centre-forwards . . . and bagging the winning goal in a World Cup final. Thank God.
      Lauren’s performance this World Cup has been nothing short of sensational. She is a household name now, but she only made her senior England debut last SeptemberCredit: Getty
      Lauren learning the games as a child, with brother ReeceCredit: Instagram @laurennjjames
      Lauren with brother Reece, 23 — of Chelsea and England fame — and former footballer dad NigelCredit: Instagram
      Lauren James is leading the charge, inspiring a whole generation of females following her very own ­foot-perfect tournament Down Under.
      “It’s what dreams are made of,” she said fittingly on Tuesday night after her two-goal, woman-of-the-match, 6-1 demolition of China, which also saw her set up three goals.
      Lauren’s performance this World Cup has been nothing short of sensational. She may be a household name now, but the 21-year-old only made her senior England debut last September — so it’s been a meteoric rise.
      For long-time followers of the ­Lionesses — of which there are now millions — her performances really aren’t that out of the blue.
      READ MORE ON LAUREN JAMES
      As her big brother, Reece, 23 — of Chelsea and England fame — once declared: “I believe she is the best women’s footballer in the world and will be for the next ten to 15 years.
      “She’s technically better than some Premier League players.”

      By this, he meant the men. And he’s absolutely, categorically correct.
      The Chelsea Women’s Super League star has a technical nous, brains and feel for the game like few others.
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      She is also refreshingly down to earth. Says one pal: “Lauren doesn’t play football for fame or money — she plays because she’s been in love with the game since the age of four.
      ‘First female Pele’
      “She’s never ridden off her brother’s coat-tails or asked him for handouts or contacts. Instead, she’s quietly been ploughing her own field and doing all of this on her own.
      “She works and trains so hard and is a hugely popular figure in the changing room.
      “Lauren is only 21 and really does have the world at her feet.”
      Despite her success, she doesn’t yet have the social media presence of her male sibling.
      While Reece boasts 1.4million and nearly 3million followers on Twitter and Instagram respectively, his talented sibling has 205,000 and 550,000 which, in advertising and sponsorship revenue terms, is quite a gulf.
      But with England now through to the World Cup final 16, and facing a game against Nigeria on Monday, Lauren’s popularity and earning potential will only rise. Already Nike-sponsored, further highly lucrative endorsement deals are sure to follow.
      Celebrity agent Jonathan Shalit — who has guided the careers of stars including TV judge Simon Cowell, actor Dame Joan Collins plus singers Charlotte Church and Katherine Jenkins — tips her to become one of the game’s first multi-millionaires.
      He says: “I absolutely love Lauren, who is an incredible inspiration to young sportsmen and ladies.
      “If England win the World Cup, Lauren deserves to be the first £50,000 a week women’s player.
      “Already she is ­destined to become a multi-millionaire, but she will be by Christmas if England win the tournament.
      “She could be the first female Pele, and is young enough to compete in four World Cups for England, which is astonishing.
      “Brands will be fighting for her — Nike to keep hold of her — and H&M, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, MAC, Urban Outfitters, Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Prada, Louis Vuitton, etc to get her in their products.
      “She has vast appeal to a huge demographic and is a supremely talented young woman.”
      Unlike so many footballers, however, Lauren’s Instagram is refreshingly unflashy. Less Lamborghini on a Cannes beachfront, more grinding away on the training ground Wattbike.
       Her photos are mainly ­trackie-bum filled, or snaps of match day action.
      Lauren — promoting the World Cup in Oz, right — isn’t a fake eyelash, long-nailed, filler-filled Insta type. She’s a sportswoman. And almost every month, it seems she makes history.
       For starters, never in modern top-flight football have a brother and sister represented England.
      The offspring of former footballer dad Nigel — a defender who was on Aldershot’s books when he suffered a broken ankle in a motorbike accident and turned to coaching — the pair grew up playing the game together, alongside eldest brother Joshua.
      In an interview with The Sun last October for Black History Month, Lauren cited tennis aces Venus and Serena ­Williams as her heroes.
      Not so much as a whiff of influencer on her radar, then. Instead, Lauren is open about her ambitions — ones which extend beyond the touchlines. She explains: “To be a global icon and break down barriers is something that I also hope to do in the future. The credit has to go to the Williams women, as well as their father, who played a big ­supporting role, just like our dad.
      “My dad Nigel’s Grenadian ­heritage has been massive in our upbringing and given us a better understanding of different cultures.
      Sexist attitudes
      “I am proud to have that part of me, alongside my mum being English. It is just lovely to have it all.” Lauren is rapidly garnering a huge fanbase among impressionable kids — exactly the kind of woman they should be inspired by.
      Of their formative years growing up in south west London, dad Nigel proudly recalls: “It was just about playing. I used to set challenges in the back garden, and if they did well at that I’d give them 20p and then another 20p. Before you know, you’ve changed up £20 into 20ps and they’re all gone!
      “It became fun. The key thing was that they were doing the right things.
      “If you don’t know the standard you have to set yourself then there is no way they will improve.
      “In the end they pushed themselves to get better. I was doing it as work and they came into training with me so it was like, ‘If you want to be good at this, this is what you have to do’.”
      While many men in the game have been depressingly slow to back their female star counterparts, defender Reece has always been a big supporter. I interviewed him last October and, tellingly, he began the chat with talk of his sister.
      He called for women to be paid more in line with male footie stars and slammed outdated sexist attitudes to women’s football. He said: “I think maybe in the last five years the women’s game has come on — especially from them winning the Euros.
      “It’s put them on a much bigger stage. Most games are televised now and the women’s game is moving in the right direction. I don’t think it’s going to go backwards and that includes pay.
      Lauren in action against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League in OctoberCredit: Getty
      Lauren won Player of the Match in England’s World Cup victory over ChinaCredit: Getty
      Lauren — promoting the World Cup in OzCredit: Getty
      “As it develops, and the teams and players and quality get higher — the pay, the fans, everything will match it.
      “It’s come a long way. It’s still got a long way to go.”
      With heroes like his sister at the fore, it won’t be long, surely, before we finally see parity between the sexes.
      Until then, it is Lauren’s time to roar.
      SIBLINGS HIT THE HEIGHTS
      LAUREN and Reece James are not the only siblings to represent their country at international level. And sometimes it is the women who outshine their brothers on the biggest stage . . .
      ENIOLA & SONE ALUKO
      England ace Eniola Aluko with Ipswich player brother SoneCredit: Getty
      ENIOLA was one of the Lionesses’ greatest forwards, scoring 33 times in 102 senior appearances for her country.
      The attacker, 36, won the Women’s Super League three times with Chelsea, the women’s Serie A with Juventus, played for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics and became a TV pundit.
      Her younger brother Sone, 34, played for England at youth level, but got seven senior caps for Nigeria. He is now with Championship side Ipswich Town.
      RIANA & RADJA NAINGGOLAN
      Siblings Riana, right, and Radja Nainggolan have both played for Roma and ItalyCredit: Twitter
      THE 35-year-old Belgian twins both played for Roma in Italy and represented their country at the highest level.
      But heavily tattooed Radja, who was criticised for smoking, played 30 times for Belgium while Riana has just one cap.
      That didn’t stop her once saying: “We kind of have the same style, only he is the male form and I’m the female form. If Radja was a girl too, I would be better.”
      SIMONA NECIDOVA & TOMAS NECID
      Simona Necidova played in the women’s Champions League for Slavia Prague and brother Tomas Necid also played for Slavia Prague’sCredit: extra.cz/fotka
      CZECH defender Simona, 29, has been capped 32 times by her country and has played in the women’s Champions League for Slavia Prague.
      Her striker brother Tomas, 33, also played for Slavia Prague and scored 12 times in 44 games for his country. The siblings both continue to play as pros in their homeland.
      MELANIA & MANOLO GABBIADINI
      Now-retired Melania, 39, played 114 times for Italy, brother Manolo, 31, had a spell at SouthamptonCredit: Twitter
      MELANIA may not have merited the huge transfer fees commanded by her younger brother Manolo – but she has enjoyed more success on the sports field.
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      During her career the now-retired Melania, 39, played 114 times for Italy and scored 45 goals.
      Manolo, 31, has 13 caps, but proved under- whelming during a spell at Southampton after signing for £14million in 2017. More