England 0-0 Nigeria (4-2 penalties): The Lionesses safe a spot within the quarter-finals of the ladies’s World Cup regardless of taking place to 10 gamers after Lauren James’ pink card

England had spent 87 minutes enjoying like a crew who have been afraid. A crew who feared they have been going to be the subsequent sufferer of a giant-killing at this World Cup.

The Lionesses had watched reigning champions the US crash out the evening earlier than. Germany, Brazil and Canada had already suffered shock exits.

When Lauren James, their star participant, noticed pink for violent conduct within the 87th minute the sport regarded out of their grasp. It was shades of David Beckham’s stamp on Diego Simeone in 1998, of Wayne Rooney on Ricardo Carvalho in 2006. In each of these video games, England misplaced on penalties. Not right this moment, not this time.

Chloe Kelly was England’s hero once more, scoring the successful spot-kick to provide England a 4-3 victory on penalties.

It had not been anticipated to get up to now. England, ranked fourth on this planet, have been the heavy favourites. However this World Cup has proven us that the FIFA rankings are nearly irrelevant. The underdogs have prevailed on a couple of event. England are fortunate they didn’t accomplish that yesterday.

England have secured their place within the quarter-finals of the World Cup by beating Nigeria on penalties after drawing 0-0 in 120 minutes of motion on Monday morning

Chloe Kelly scored England’s fourth penalty to ship the Lionesses by way of to the quarters

Nigeria had a number of probabilities to take the lead all through the 90 minutes. Early within the first half Plumptre despatched a shot in opposition to the crossbar earlier than her second effort was saved by Earps

Sarina Wiegman’s aspect grew into the second half, as that they had carried out within the first. Their passing improved however their affected person build-up continued to be rebuffed by Nigeria’s cussed defence

However the battle and dedication they confirmed to prevail with 10 gamers must also be admired. They’re a robust group, stronger than the US, stronger than Germany. They should be stronger than this in the event that they wish to win the event. However they’re nonetheless right here, nonetheless preventing. Sarina Wiegman, the one feminine supervisor left on this event, nonetheless standing.

Nigeria had a number of probabilities to take the lead all through the 90 minutes. Early within the first half Ashleigh Plumptre despatched a shot in opposition to the crossbar earlier than her second effort minutes later was fantastically saved by Mary Earps.

England’s first alternative didn’t come till halfway by way of the half. Nigeria defender Oluwatosin Demehin slipped as she went to clear the ball, permitting Russo to get a first-time shot on objective – however her effort was straight at goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The Nigeria goalkeeper was referred to as into motion once more when she pushed away Rachel Daly’s volley on the close to put up.

Then got here controversy. England have been awarded a penalty on the half hour mark when Daly went down after contact from Rasheedat Ajibade. A prolonged VAR test ensued. It was tender, however within the Premier League, the choice would most likely have stood. 

Referee Melissa Borjas had given Georgia Stanway the ball, as if to say the VAR test was full, however all of a sudden the official was operating to the monitor to evaluate the footage. Two replays later and the choice was overturned.

A powerful half-time crew discuss from Wiegman was required. England wanted extra power, extra perception. It was Nigeria who had the primary likelihood after the break as Uchenna Kanu evaded Daly to ship a header in opposition to the crossbar.

However England grew into the second half, as that they had carried out within the first. Their passing improved however their affected person build-up continued to be rebuffed by Nigeria’s cussed defence. One other likelihood fell the African aspect’s approach, as Kanu despatched a free header simply extensive from a nook.

England then got here the closest that they had carried out all recreation to taking the lead. Greenwood’s in-swinging nook was met by an unmarked Daly, however her highly effective header was fantastically saved by Nnadozie.

Simply as Wiegman was able to make adjustments, the sport turned as James was despatched off for violent conduct within the 87th minute.

James thought she had been fouled by Michelle Alozie however the referee was unmoved. In a rush of blood to the top, James then stood on Alozie’s again as she acquired up. She was initially proven a yellow card however a VAR evaluate was ordered. The footage was damning, there was no different possibility however for James to stroll.

It’s doubtless the ahead will get a three-game ban. Gamers proven pink playing cards are routinely suspended for one match however extra video games could be imposed on evaluate.

Ella Toone had been stripped and able to come on, doubtless in James’ place however Wiegman’s delay in making the change meant they have been all the way down to 10. Kelly got here on for Alessia Russo as England noticed out the remaining minutes.

England star Lauren James (above) was despatched off after stamping on her opponent on Monday

James was proven a pink card within the 87th minute of their World Cup conflict with Nigeria

Referee Melissa Borjas had initially handed James a yellow card earlier than consulting with VAR

Because the full-time whistle went, Wiegman beckoned her crew over. She was about to provide crucial crew discuss of this event.

England’s backs have been in opposition to the wall in extra-time. It was one-way visitors however, one way or the other, they held agency.

Then got here penalties. Georgia Stanway, so dependable from the spot, fired the Lionesses’ first effort extensive. Nigeria’s Need Oparanozie did the identical. Beth England, a participant who has had restricted minutes at this event, scored emphatically. 

Nigeria’s Alozie then blasted over the bar. Benefit England. Daly fired England’s third emphatically into the highest nook. Rasheedat Ajibade scored to make it 2-1 with three penalties taken every. Greenwood scored to make sure Christy Ucheibe needed to do the identical – she did. Kelly, England’s Euros hero, had the possibility to win it. She scored emphatically. England have been by way of, simply. Their World Cup dream lives on.