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 staff’s two-goal hero within the 6-1 win in opposition to China, obtained a crimson card for violent conduct after a unnecessary stamp on Michelle Alozie on the 87th-minute mark, leaving the staff one participant shot within the extra-time.

Nigeria had the higher of the probabilities, however the European Champions held out for a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes and prevailed 4-2 within the shootout in entrance of virtually 50,000 spectators in Brisbane.

James will likely 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 crimson 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 obtained off to a horrible begin within the penalty shootout when Georgia Stanway fired vast, 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 offer England a bonus they by no means surrendered, sealing victory when Chloe Kelly — who scored the winner within the last of the European Championship a yr in the past — calmly transformed.

England coach Sarina Wiegman mentioned her staff had practised and had 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 easy methods to do it, and we’ve got the expertise.”

With AFP inputs