England booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup after they defeated Nigeria 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The Lionesses were reduced to 10 players late on in the match after Lauren James was sent off for a stamp on Michelle Alozie.
Nothing could separate either team in normal time, despite Nigeria hitting the crossbar twice in the match, with the game subsequently going to extra-time and then to penalties.
Georgia Stanway would miss England’s first spot-kick before Desire Oparanozie and Alozie both missed Nigeria’s first two penalties. Chloe Kelly scored the winning penalty for England, thumping the ball into the back of the net to send them through to the next round of the tournament where they will face either Colombia or Jamaica.
Australia also advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament after Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso both scored during their 2-0 win against Denmark at the Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Mail Sport brings you all the things you might have missed from Monday at the Women’s World Cup.
England advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup after they defeated Nigeria 4-2 on penalties on Monday
Chloe Kelly (left) scored the winning penalty to send England through, who will now play either Colombia or Jamaica
Sarina Wiegman’s (middle) side fought hard to win the match after they were reduced to ten players late on
Aussie fans root for Nigeria
The ‘neutral’ Australian fans in attendance at Monday’s England game were unsurprisingly rooting for Nigeria.
A number of supporters wearing Aussie shirts had Nigeria’s green and white colours painted on their faces.
The atmosphere was flat whenever England had the ball but if Nigeria started to attack there were loud cheers.
When the Lionesses had their first-half penalty overturned, much of the stadium celebrated as if Nigeria had scored a goal. They had little to celebrate at full time.
Alozie inspired by ex-Man City star
Nigeria’s Alozie wore odd boots in Monday’s game, with the forward choosing one black and one white.
Alozie has been playing in different coloured boots for several years as a nod to her favourite player, Mario Balotelli, who has done the same throughout his career,
Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie (pictured) was seen wearing different coloured boots during the game, a nod to her favourite player, Mario Balotelli
Lauren James fifth England player to be sent off at a World Cup
Lauren James is the fifth England player to be sent off at a World Cup — following Ray Wilkins (v Morocco, 1986 group stage), David Beckham (v Argentina, 1998 last 16), Wayne Rooney (v Portugal, 2006 quarter-final) and Millie Bright (v USA, 2019 semi-final).
Lauren James (top-middle) was sent off after she stamped on Nigeria’s Alozie (bottom-middle)
BBC commentary frustrations
BBC viewers were frustrated that the commentary for yesterday’s England game was slightly ahead of the pictures for much of the first half.
The issue was resolved but it was not a good look for the broadcaster.
Sam Kerr makes long-awaited return for Australia
Australia joined England in the last eight with a 2-0 victory over Denmark.
Sam Kerr made her long-awaited return as a second-half substitute. Caitlin Foord put the Matildas ahead in the first half before Hayley Raso’s strike sealed the victory in the second.
Kerr had not played a minute of the tournament because of a calf injury but the Chelsea forward was introduced late in the game. The co-hosts play the winners of France v Morocco.
Sam Kerr (right) also made her return to the football pitch against Australia during their game against Denmark
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