England wanted to outlive a nervy penalty shootout in opposition to Nigeria on Monday as they scraped into the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup after enjoying the entire of extra-time with solely 10 gamers. England playmaker Lauren James, the crew’s two-goal hero within the 6-1 win in opposition to China, acquired a purple card for violent conduct after a unnecessary stamp on Michelle Alozie on the 87th-minute mark, leaving the crew one participant shot within the extra-time.
Nigeria had the higher of the possibilities, however the European Champions held out for a 0-Zero draw after 120 minutes and prevailed 4-2 within the shootout in entrance of virtually 50,000 spectators in Brisbane.
James can be suspended when the Lionesses face Colombia or Jamaica on Saturday for a spot within the semi-finals as they goal so as to add the World Cup to their European crown.
Nigeria supervisor Randy Waldrum mentioned his facet had proven their inexperience after James went off.
Lauren James is proven a purple card. pic.twitter.com/m9RywPHwPi
— Caity Foord (@caitcaitfoord) August 7, 2023
“We created more chances against 11 players than we did against 10,” Waldrum mentioned. “It goes down to experience, I don’t think our players handled it very well. But credit to England, they were very well organised and prepared for it.”
England received off to a horrible begin within the penalty shootout when Georgia Stanway fired extensive, however Desire Oparanozie couldn’t take benefit and missed in similar trend.
Beth England made no mistake, however Alozie ballooned her effort excessive over the bar to provide England a bonus they by no means surrendered, sealing victory when Chloe Kelly — who scored the winner within the closing of the European Championship a yr in the past — calmly transformed.
England coach Sarina Wiegman mentioned her crew had practised and have been ready for the shootout.
“We have trained for penalties, we had a plan worked out,” she mentioned.
“But at the end it’s the players who make the decisions as to who wants to take the penalties.
“We know tips on how to do it, and now we have the expertise.”
With AFP inputs
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