 England defender Lucy Bronze has revealed she went straight to the dressing room to see Lauren James after the Lionesses' dramatic penalty shootout win over Nigeria at the Women's World Cup. The 21-year-old was shown a red card in the 87th minute of Monday's last-16 victory after lashing out at defender Michelle Alozie and stepping on her back. England were forced to play extra-time with only 10 players but defended stubbornly before winning the shootout 4-2 with Chloe Kelly striking an emphatic final spot-kick to set up a quarter-final clash against either Colombia or Jamaica. James will definitely be suspended for that match, while she could also miss a potential semi-final and final if her sending off is deemed to be violent conduct – which carries a three-match ban. Bronze, who helped form part of England's depleted but dogged rearguard, says her young team-mate is understandably upset but she did her best to console James in the dressing room straight after the match. Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Barcelona star said: 'Obviously she's going to be disappointed in herself. I went straight off the pitch after the game to make sure she was OK. 'Obviously she was a little bit upset and rightfully so and more than anything she just feels bad for the team. I said to her, 'We've made it through. It's a team, it's not just one player.'' James had to watch extra-time and penalties from the dressing room (Picture: Getty) James has been England's best player Down Under and racked up three goals and three assists in the group stages despite not starting the first match. Bronze admits her absence will be a massive blow but is more concerned about making sure her young team-mate is okay. 'Although LJ is the youngest in the team, she's had to mature from a young age because she's been thrown into the spotlight, whether that's to do with her brother [Reece James] and her family, or that she){kind=link}
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England defender Lucy Bronze has revealed she went straight to the dressing room to see Lauren James after the Lionesses’ dramatic penalty shootout win over Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup.
The 21-year-old was shown a red card in the 87th minute of Monday’s last-16 victory after lashing out at defender Michelle Alozie and stepping on her back.
England were forced to play extra-time with only 10 players but defended stubbornly before winning the shootout 4-2 with Chloe Kelly striking an emphatic final spot-kick to set up a quarter-final clash against either Colombia or Jamaica.
James will definitely be suspended for that match, while she could also miss a potential semi-final and final if her sending off is deemed to be violent conduct – which carries a three-match ban.