Women’s World Cup 2023

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      Watch Lucy Bronze SNUB handshake with referee after England star was victim of controversial decisions in win over China

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      LUCY BRONZE snubbed a handshake with the referee after England’s stunning World Cup win over China.The Lionesses star was the victim of several controversial decision during the 6-1 thrashing on Tuesday.
      Lucy Bronze appeared to snub the referee’s handshakeCredit: ITV FOOTBALL
      Bronze was the perplexed by some of the referee’s decisionsCredit: ITV FOOTBALL
      Sarina Wiegman’s side secured their place in the round of 16 as group winners with the victory.
      However, defender Bronze was not impressed with referee Casey Reibelt at full-time and was caught on camera snubbing a handshake with the official.
      As players from both teams shook hands with each other and the officials, Bronze could be seen walking past Reibelt despite having just shaken the hand of her assistant.
      Fans were quick to spot the snub, with one tweeting: “Lucy Bronze not shaking the ref’s hand, class.”
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      Bronze had seen two key decisions go against her during the match.
      Firstly, she was ruled as being offside in the build-up for a disallowed England goal shortly before half-time.
      Lauren James thought she had put the Lionesses 4-0 up in first half stoppage time before a VAR review deemed Bronze offside.
      After the interval, the Barcelona star was on the receiving end of a controversial decision again.
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      Bronze was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area and was booked for her infringement.
      Replays from the VAR review showed she had tried to block the ball in front of goal before it struck her arm.
      Wang Shuang stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick and reduce the deficit.
      Cameras picked up Bronze’s perplexed reaction to the decision before she later made her feeling’s known to the officials at full-time.
      SHAKE UP
      Her snub is not the first time at the tournament that a player has refused a handshake.
      Ireland’s Ruesha Littlejohn made headlines ahead of their opening match against co-hosts Australia.
      The midfielder appeared to snub a handshake with Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord, who is a club team-mate of her ex-partner Katie McCabe.
      Littlejohn and McCabe’s split after more than seven years together was confirmed on the eve of the tournament.
      Bronze’s handball resulted in a China penaltyCredit: ITV FOOTBALL
      Bronze was also booked for the incidentCredit: Reuters More

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      England 6 China 1: Sensational Lauren James scores twice as rampant Lionesses breeze through with complete thrashing

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      LAUREN JAMES wants to carve out her own name in the beautiful game. And she certainly did that as the Lionesses charged into the World Cup last 16 by pummelling China 6-1 despite VAR and penalty drama. 
      Lauren James produced another stunning performance at the World CupCredit: PA
      The Chelsea star volleyed in her second at the back postCredit: PA
      England were in blistering form in Adelaide wiping their floor with their opponents to set up a Monday duel with Nigeria. 
      Sarina Wiegman turned tinker woman with her altered Lionesses side roaring their way into the tournament’s knockout phase in style.
      It was a performance that saw Alessia Russo end her six-game goalless run with the striker bagging her first since February as well her first ever at a World Cup. 
      And team-mate James – sister of England and Chelsea star Reece – strengthened her standing as a rising star by bagging her first brace in the game’s biggest contest.
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      In a tournament of shocks, that has seen giants Spain and Germany humbled, perhaps one of the biggest shocks of them all was the changes Wiegman made to her first 11.  
      Five of them in total. 
      Among the biggest calls were Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly dropping to the bench with Rachel Daly deployed on the wing. 
      And with Keira Walsh crocked, Katie Zelem earned her World Cup bow, playing in midfield alongside Georgia Stanway.
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      But it was an astute move that paid off with England crushing any hopes of the Asian reigning champions springing a surprise. 
      It took just four minutes for Wiegman’s aces to open the scoring with Lauren Hemp and Russo combining with the latter slotting home after China failed to clear. 
      Hemp came close to making it 2-0 before England’s lead was eventually doubled with a goal that started with a bulldozing move from Millie Bright. 
      The England skipper looked back to her imposing best by charging her way into the centre circle before James teed up Hemp to slide past Zhu Yu for England’s second. 
      James, in perhaps her finest performance in a Lionesses shirt, made it 3-0 in the 41st minute moments after Lucy Bronze’s header hit the woodwork.
      VAR DRAMA
      But fans’ cheers turned to jeers when the forward’s curled effort for No4 was controversially ruled out with Bronze judged to be interfering with play close to half-time. 
      The second spell saw China rewarded a controversial pen with the ball appearing to glance off Bronze’s arm prior to a decent stop for Earps. 
      The decision went their way much to the delight of their raucous fans at Hindmarsh Stadium and Wang Shuang converted with Mary Earps conceding her first goal of the tournament. 
      James notched her brace, expertly side-footing home after latching on to Jess Carter’s cross to make it 4-1 in the 66th minute 
      Kelly made it 5-1, pouncing on a delivery from James to net a tap-in with goalkeeper Zhu left stranded. 
      China’s nightmare got worse with Daly claiming her first goal of the contest with six minutes of normal time left.
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      With another dreaded VAR review, it looked as if Daly would be denied. 
      But her volley was allowed with the England ace reward for a sterling shift in attack in a memorable win. 
      Alessia Russo gave England the perfect start in AdelaideCredit: Getty
      Lauren Hemp made it 2-0 with a smart finishCredit: Reuters
      Chloe Kelly made it 5-1 with a simple tap-inCredit: Reuters
      Rachel Daly’s volley completed the routCredit: Getty
      Sarina Wiegman brought James off before she could complete her hat-trickCredit: Getty More

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      Ainsley Harriott screams ‘you what?’ at Sam Allardyce after cheeky gag with fans baffled to see pair on ITV cooking show

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      FOOTBALL fans were left dumbfounded after seeing Ainsley Harriott and Sam Allardyce together on ITV. Before the broadcaster’s coverage of England’s Women’s World Cup clash versus China, Allardyce was seen on TV alongside Mark Pougatch while celebrity chef Ainsley cooked some steak.
      Sam Allardyce appeared on ITV alongside Mark Pougatch and Ainsley HarriottCredit: ITV
      Fans were left baffled by the crossoverCredit: ITV
      Allardyce was back in the Premier League with Leeds last seasonCredit: Getty
      Celebrity chef Ainsley is one of daytime TV’s most recognisable facesCredit: Rex
      During the show Ainsley, 66, asked Big Sam how he liked his steak cooked.
      The former West Ham boss, who was also seen drinking from a wine glass at one point during his appearance, replied: “Just like that.”
      However, he then confessed that he was upset because there was no “Susie salt or Percy pepper”.
      In classic fashion, Ainsley then grabbed a pinch of salt and made a big gesture of seasoning the steak while yelling: “You what Sam, you what?”
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      Reacting to the stunning crossover of personalities from food and footie, one fan Tweeted: “Ainsley Harriott show is on TV in the gym. Sam Allardyce is on as a guest.
      “He’s literally frothing at the mouth in anticipation as every new dish is cooked. What a man😂.”
      A second who watched the show, which was originally screened for last year’s World Cup, asked: “Ainsley Harriott, Sam Allardyce and steaks? Name me a better combination for Tuesday morning telly.”
      Another remarked: “There’s a show on ITV right now where Ainsley Harriott is cooking for Sam Allardyce – have I had an accident?”
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      “I don’t know why but Sam Allardyce is currently on some sort of cooking show with Ainsley Harriott on ITV,” said a baffled fourth.
      A fifth declared: “Thank you to ITV for bringing the Sam Allardyce episode of Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours back into our lives this morning.”
      Ex-England boss Allardyce, 68, made a brief return to management after being drafted in by Leeds to try and preserve their Premier League status.
      But he was unable to keep them up, with Leeds dropping into the Championship. More

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      England 6 China 1 LIVE RESULT – Women’s World Cup: Lionesses run riot in Australia as Wiegman’s side cruise to last-16

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      ENGLAND are heading for the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup after cruising to victory against China.Alessia Russo put the Lionesses ahead after just four minutes on the clock.
      Lauren Hemp doubled Sarina Wiegman’s side lead before Lauren James scored a stunning brace.
      Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly were also on the scoresheet as the Lionesses cruise to the last-16.

      Match result: England 6-1 China
      TV channel: ITV
      FREE live stream: ITVX
      England team: Earps, Bronze, Greenwood, Bright, James, Stanway, Daly, Hemp, Carter, Zelem, Russo
      China team: Yu, Qiaozhu, Wei, Mengwen, Shanshan, Linyan, Shuang, Lina, Lingwei, Jiahui, Chengshu

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      Stay up to date with all the action from the Hindmarsh Stadium…
      That’s all from the Hindmarsh Stadium
      England secured their spot at the top of Group D with a sensational 6-1 win over China.
      The Lionesses will now face Nigeria in the Round-of-16.
      Denmark also advanced to the knockout stages following their 2-0 win over Haiti and will now face Australia.
      It’s been a day to remember for England, but there is still so much more to come.
      Thanks for reading!

      Laur the One
      Today, Lauren James became the first England player to be directly involved in at least five goals in a game at a Men’s or Women’s World Cup.
      Credit: Getty
      Sarina Wiegman reacts
      Speaking to ITV, the England boss said: “I said before the game we had to do things a little different than we did before. We did really well it shows how adaptive we are on the pitch.
      “Today it went really well. We want to use the qualities we have now and today it worked really well.”
      “She [Lauren James] feels good, you can tell. She did special things today. Unfortunately that one goal was cancelled. She flows over the pitch.
      “We expected China to press high because they had to win to go through. But they just stayed in shape. They didn’t expect us to play this way and they didn’t find a solution.
      “It also helps when Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly can press up in and out of possession. They worked well today.”
      Credit: Reuters
      Katie Zelem reacts
      Following her World Cup debut, Katie Zelem told BBC Radio 5 Live: “You could see by the smiles on our faces how we felt. It looked like a lot of things had come together that we had been working on on the training pitch came off.”
      Speaking about her preparation for the match she added: “We announce the line-ups the night before so I was very excited, my first start for England in any game.
      “China were really organised, there wasn’t too much space for me and Georgia [Stanway] in the first half but it allowed players like LJ [Lauren James] to get on the ball and who better to get on the ball in an England shirt than Lauren James?
      “I’ve know LJ for a long time, played with her at Manchester United so I’ve known the talent she had so there is no surprise she is playing this well at the tournament and hopefully it will continue.”
      Credit: Getty
      ‘The girls give you them’
      England winger Beth Mead, who is currently out of action due to injury, has praised the Lionesses for today’s performance.
      She tweeted: “You wanted goals, the girls give you them. What a performance @Lionesses LJ take a bow.”

      Lauren James reacts
      Speaking to ITV, the England star said: “It’s what dreams are made of. Happy for the team; everyone is buzzing. We are looking forward to the next round
      “I felt free. Whether I’m on the wing or in the middle, I’m happy to be playing and contributing to goals.”
      She added: “Like last game, I just thought ‘hit it and see what happens’.
      “It was frustrating [to have a goal disallowed] but those things happen. I’m just looking forward to the next one.
      “Each game, I’m looking to get better and there are many more years of improvement. I just have to stay focused.”
      Credit: PA
      Full Time – China 1-6 England
      While the nation was busy worrying about the absence of Keira Walsh, Sarina Wiegman had everything under control.
      The England boss made a number of changes today and each one of them paid off to perfection.
      Katie Zelem put in a solid shift on her World Cup debut alongside Georgia Stanway in midfield, while Hemp, Russo and James continued to shine in attack.
      THIS was the performance England fans had been waiting for.
      It took a while, but the Lionesses have finally arrived.
      Credit: Reuters
      Full Time – China 1-6 England
      England are through to the round of 16 knockout stage as it ends 6-1 in this devastating win for the Lionesses.
      After conceding a penalty in the 56th minute England needed to re-group – of course it was that number seven again to the rescue – Lauren James on the volley cushioned the ball into the top-right corner from a lovely delivery from Carter.
      Super-sub Kelly came on and slotted one into an empty net after the keeper mistimed her run out of the box.
      England’s sixth of the night came from Rachel Daly – the ball fell to her in the box and she fired it with her laces into the top corner.
      Anticipation of how Sarina would replace Keira Walsh was looming in the lead-up to this game but Katie Zelem was calm and collected the whole 101 minutes. 
      The stage is set – Monday 7th August England will face Nigeria in the round of 16 knockouts.
      Full Time – China 1-6 England
      England top Group D with an outstanding win over China!
      Credit: PA
      90+10. China 1-6 England
      Coombs attempts an audacious strike from midfield, but her effort flies over the bar.
      90+8. China 1-6 England
      We’re still in extra time.
      England are still winning.
      90+3. China 1-6 England
      Another two changes for China.
      Yao Lingwei is replaced by Dou Jiaxing.
      Wu Chengshu is replaced by Shen Mengyu.
      90+1. China 1-6 England
      11 minutes have been added on.
      Yes. You read that right.
      85. China 1-6 England
      The ball falls to Kelly in the box, who fires a cross to Daly at the far post.
      Daly then rifles a volley into the back of the net from 10 yards out.
      After a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside, the goal is given!
      Credit: Getty
      84. GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL ENGLAND!!!!
      Daly scores the sixth!
      78. China 1-5 England
      Another change for England.
      Toone is on to replace James.
      Credit: PA
      77. China 1-5 England
      China have made some substitutions.
      Wang Shuang is replaced by Gu Yasha.
      Li Mengwen is replaced by Wu Haiyan.
      76. China 1-5 England
      James receives the ball in midfield and sends an excellent pass through to Kelly.
      Zhu Yu fails to make the save on the edge of the box, so the winger simply runs around the goalkeeper to slot the ball into the empty net.
      Credit: Getty
      75. GOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL ENGLAND!!!!
      Super sub Kelly comes straight off the bench to score!
      72. China 1-4 England
      Huge chance for the Lionesses as England receives the ball in the box.
      Rather than shooting, she sets it to Kelly, but her effort is deflected behind for a corner.
      71. China 1-4 England
      England make three more changes.
      Charles replaces Bronze.
      England replaces Russo.
      Kelly replaces Hemp.
      67. China 1-4 England
      The Lionesses go on the attack as James drives down the left before crossing the ball into the penalty area.
      It’s headed clear by the China defence and eventually falls to Carter, who picks James out in the box with an excellent cross.
      The forward then volleys the ball with the side of her foot straight into the top-right corner!
      What a finish!
      Credit: Reuters
      66. GOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLL ENGLAND!!!!!
      LAUREN JAMES! THAT IS PHENOMENAL!
      What a strike!
      61. China 1-3 England
      Yang attempts an audacious strike from distance, but her effort flies over the bar.
      An improved performance so far from China.
      57. GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL CHINA!!!!
      Wang Shuang converts the penalty!
      Credit: PA
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      Laura Woods’ outfit live on ITV leaves fans ‘swooning’ during England Women’s World Cup clash vs China

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      LAURA WOODS left fans “swooning” as she appeared on ITV’s coverage of the World Cup.England are facing China in their final Group D game at the Women’s World Cup.
      Laura Woods was presenting ITV’s coverage of the Women’s World CupCredit: ITV
      One fan said they were left ‘swooning’Credit: ITV
      As ITV kicked off their pre-match coverage, presenter Woods popped up on viewers’ screens.
      And like previous matches at the tournament, Woods seemed to dazzle and left fans in awe.
      Woods had a laid-back look ahead of the game, donning a white top and tanned trousers.
      Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Laura Woods… swoons.”
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      A second thanked ITV for putting Woods on hosting duty “from the whole nation”.
      Woods was joined by Eni Aluko and Karen Carney in the studio.
      An earlier match at the tournament saw Woods in an elegant dress.
      Woods is no stranger to stunning fans, putting on an incredibly glamorous display at Wimbledon.
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      The 36-year-old has enjoyed a great summer that saw her wear daring attire at Glastonbury and party with an ex-England star.
      Woods is set to become a mainstay on fans’ screens on Champions League nights as well as she moves to the re-branded TNT Sports.
      Woods previously wowed fans in a black dressCredit: ITV
      Another day saw her with a bold blue lookCredit: ITV
      Woods will be heading up TNT Sports coverage of the Champions League next seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Morocco star Nouhaila Benzina shares the love on social media as she makes history at Women’s World Cup

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      MOROCCO footballer Nouhaila Benzina was inundated with love and support after making World Cup history.The defender appeared for her national side in the shock 1-0 win over South Korea in Adelaide on Sunday.
      Nouhaila Benzina made her World Cup debut wearing a hijabCredit: Getty
      And she did so wearing a hijab – the first player to wear one in a World Cup match.
      The Islamic headscarf was authorised to be worn during matches for religious reasons by Fifa in 2014.
      And the 25-year-old star took to the field to etch her name into the history books at a senior women’s international tournament.
      Trailblazer Benzina, who has played for a Moroccan club since 2016, was an unused sub for her country’s opening match at the World Cup – a 6-0 thrashing by Germany.
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      But she played the full 90 minutes as the Lionesses of Atlas recorded their first World Cup win ever.
      And that prompted a huge outpouring of messages and social media posts for Benzina, who will surely inspire millions of young Muslim girls dreaming of becoming professional footballers.
      The centre-back shared dozens of them on her Instagram stories.
      Others on Twitter also shared their positive reactions.
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      One said: “Role model, game changer.”
      Another wrote: “Love this.”
      A third added: “This is wonderful to see and a brilliant example to everyone!”
      And a final user replied: “Nothing but respect for this beautiful lady.”
      She became the first person to appear at a women’s major international tournament with the headscarfCredit: Reuters
      Morocco beat South Korea 1-0 in AdelaideCredit: Reuters More

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      BBC forced to apologise after X-rated rant picked up on live TV at Women’s World Cup by ‘very sensitive microphones’

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      THE BBC has been forced to apologise after a foul-mouthed rant was overheard at the Women’s World Cup.During Canada’s clash with Australia – a fixture won 4-0 by the Aussies – some colourful language was used by Canada’s Allysha Chapman following a robust challenge with Hayley Raso.
      Allysha Chapman was involved in a robust challenge with Hayley RasoCredit: AP
      It left Raso writhing in pain on the floorCredit: Rex
      With Chapman launching a foul-mouthed rantCredit: Getty
      The pitch-side microphones picked up the X-rated rant in the 65th minute.
      Raso, 28, had attempted to intercept a loose pass into Chapman.
      However, Raso missed the ball completely and ended up being clattered in the follow through by her opponent.
      This left her on the floor writhing in pain.
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      Chapman, 34, was left unimpressed by her rival’s actions, shouting: “She f***ing jumped into me you t***!”
      This prompted BBC commentator Robyn Cowen to swiftly apologise for the vulgar language.
      She said: “Apologies there if any language was picked up on the very sensitive pitch-side microphones it seems.”
      In what was the two nations final game in Group B, hosts Australia progressed top of the group having picked up two wins against Canada and the Republic of Ireland.
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      Nigeria finished second, pipping the Canadians by one point after two draws and a thrilling 4-3 win over Australia.
      In the case of the Lionesses, two 1-0 wins put England in a commanding position ahead of their final group game against China tomorrow.
      England need a point to confirm their progression into the knockout stages.
      Chapman was heard making an X-rated rant More

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      Is Nouhaila Benzina the first footballer to wear a hijab at a World Cup?

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      NOUHAILA BENZINA made her World Cup debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.The football star made history at the competition during Morocco’s game against South Korea.
      Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco made history during the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 match between Korea and MoroccoCredit: EPA/MATT TURNER
      Who is Nouhaila Benzina?
      Nouhaila Benzina is a Moroccan football player.
      She was born on May 11, 1998 in Kenitra.
      Benzina plays as a defender.
      Who has Nouhaila Benzina played for?
      Benzina has spent her professional career playing for Morocco’s ASFAR (Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal) team.
      Read More on Women’s World Cup
      She has also represented Morocco at under-20 and senior levels.
      In 2023 Benzina was named as part of Morocco’s Fifa Women’s World Cup squad.
      The 2023 edition of the tournament marks the first time Morocco has taken part.
      They are also the first team from MENA, the group of countries situated in and around the Middle East and North Africa, to play in the tournament.
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      Benzina was an unused substitute in the team’s first game against Germany but was called up during their second clash, against South Korea.
      Is Nouhaila Benzina the first footballer to wear a hijab at a World Cup?
      In July 2023, Benzina became the first football player to play at a World Cup – or any senior women’s football tournament – wearing a hijab.
      She wore her hijab during Morocco’s July 30, 2023, match against South Korea at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
      Morocco finished the game, which took place at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium, victorious with a 1-0 win.
      In the past, Fifa banned the wearing of hijabs during games due to health and safety reasons.
      The reasons included possible choking, with the ban forbidding “equipment that is dangerous to himself or another player”.
      That ban was lifted in 2014.
      The under-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan took place two years after the ban was lifted and marked the first time Muslim players wore headscarves during an international Fifa event.
      Benzina has not publicly addressed her history-making turn on the pitch but Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak has discussed her team being at their first ever World Cup.
      She told press: “We are honoured to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women’s World Cup and we feel that we have to shoulder a big responsibility to give a good image, to show the achievements the Moroccan team has made.”
      Ahead of Morocco’s match against South Korea, Benzina did reference the upcoming game on her social media.
      Read More on The Sun
      On Instagram, she posted a screenshot of a tweet stating that Benzina is the only player – out of 736 – at the Women’s World Cup to wear a hijab.
      She captioned the screenshot with a black love heart. More