 : The Lionesses struggled for large spells against the Super Falcons and were taken to extra-time after Lauren James was sent off for a stamp England remain at the Women's World Cup thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout win to Nigeria after losing Lauren James to a red card. Chloe Kelly fired home the winning penalty as the Lionesses prevailed 4-2 on spot kicks, following a goalless 120 minutes. Georgia Stanway had missed England's first but Beth England and Rachel Daly slotted home to give them the advantage. The Lionesses lost James, their star of the tournament to this point, to a red card for a stamp on Michelle Alozie late on before the tie went to extra-time. In an incident similar to David Beckham's red card against Argentina at France 98. Nigeria had outperformed and outbattled the European Champions for large swathes of the knockout clash, with only the woodwork and Mary Earps keeping them at bay. The Lionesses thought they had a penalty at 0-0 when Rasheedat Ajibade bundled over Rachel Daly in the box. But referee Melissa Borjas overturned her own decision following a second look thanks to VAR. Nigeria had not reached the quarter-finals since 1999 but had plenty of chances to break the deadlock, with forward Kanu hitting the bar not long after the break after outjumping Daly at the back post. At the other end Daly's close range header forced an excellent save from Chiamaka Nnadozie. The win means they advance to the last eight. Here are the key talking points from a dramatic night in Brisbane. The Lionesses won April's Finalissima on penalties against Brazil and the shootout once again came good for them tonight. Chloe Kelly was the hero scoring the crucial fifth penalty. Realistically it was an undeserved victory. For much of the 120 minutes of action England were very much second best to the Super Falcons. But knowing how to win a shootout is hugely important in major tournament football. To be World Champions you need a li){kind=link}
ENGLAND 0-0 NIGERIA (4-2 pens) : The Lionesses struggled for large spells against the Super Falcons and were taken to extra-time after Lauren James was sent off for a stamp
England remain at the Women’s World Cup thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout win to Nigeria after losing Lauren James to a red card.
Chloe Kelly fired home the winning penalty as the Lionesses prevailed 4-2 on spot kicks, following a goalless 120 minutes. Georgia Stanway had missed England’s first but Beth England and Rachel Daly slotted home to give them the advantage.
The Lionesses lost James, their star of the tournament to this point, to a red card for stepping on Michelle Alozie late on before the tie went to extra-time. In an incident similar to David Beckham’s red card against Argentina at France 98, that thankfully didn’t prove as costly as it might have.
Nigeria had outperformed and outbattled the European Champions for large swathes of the knockout clash, with only the woodwork and Mary Earps keeping them at bay. The Lionesses thought they had a penalty at 0-0 when Rasheedat Ajibade bundled over Rachel Daly in the box. But referee Melissa Borjas overturned her own decision following a second look thanks to VAR.