 The Lionesses should be prepared for a 'tough' knockout game with Nigeria, with a sense of the unpredictable to grapple with. Six goals from England secured a victory over China in their final group game of the Women's World Cup. Two controversial VAR decisions denied the Lionesses an even more comfortable lead, with a final score of 6-1. But England's next opponents should not be underestimated, Lionesses legend Rachel Yankey has warned. Pre-tournament underdogs Nigeria upset World Cup co-hosts Australia 3-2 on their last visit to Brisbane. Yankey, who played as a forward for Arsenal and England, told Metro: 'I think the next game will be quite tough to be honest. Nigeria play a very different style of football. 'It's silly, but before today part of me was thinking oh, [England] come second and play Australia. 'So I'm glad in this game they've got goals and managed to rotate the team so they can rest some players. Nigeria finished second in Group B behind co-host Australia (Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) England can take pride in their performance against China, but the fight is far from over (Picture: Getty Images) 'Some players who haven't played at a World Cup before got on the pitch which was good to see, it was a real positive in many ways – not just goals.' Russo's first goal, just four-minutes in, was needed by the Lionesses, who had struggled to find form in previous games of their World Cup journey. Yankey added: 'This team has been questioned on scoring from open play, so I think that first goal from Alessia was really important. After that, Lauren James was fantastic and so many other players managed to prove themselves. 'Everyone looked confident. 'People watching wanted to see goals, they got goals today so I think people can be happy.' The former Arsenal player enjoyed England v China after a visit to Bearsted FC, Alessia Russo's first club in Kent. Rachel Ya){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
The Lionesses should be prepared for a ‘tough’ knockout game with Nigeria, with a sense of the unpredictable to grapple with.
Six goals from England secured a victory over China in their final group game of the Women’s World Cup.
Two controversial VAR decisions denied the Lionesses an even more comfortable lead, with a final score of 6-1.
But England’s next opponents should not be underestimated, Lionesses legend Rachel Yankey has warned.