Round Of 16: England Beat Nigeria To Reach The Quarter-Finals Of The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: England National Team beat Super Falcons of Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to head to the quarter-finals.

England went into the last-16 of the Women’s World Cup after breathing life into their tournament journey with a massive 6-1 win over China.

The Lionesses struggled in their first two games which they narrowly won with a lone goal each. But bounced back stronger in their last group game as they attempt to follow up their Euro 2022 success by going far at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria on the other hand were never a team to be written off despite facing an England side hitting form.

England V Nigeria

There was literally no major bites in the game as both teams failed to find the back of the net on several occasions.

Though the African women had a better of the European side in terms of chances created and attempted, they failed to score.

Lauren James was even shown a straight red card which should have been an opportunity for Nigeria to beat them – but they failed.

James was initially shown a yellow card but it was changed to a straight red after referee Melissa Borjas checked her pitch-side monitor on the recommendation of the VAR.

James’ red card left England facing spot-kicks to avoid another massive shock at the tournament, which had already seen former winners USA and Germany eliminated early, along with Brazil.

James will now miss the quarter-final on Saturday, 12th August, 2023 which they much manage without her.

The match between England and Nigeria advanced to penalties after the extra time ended 0-0, with a quarter-final place at stake.

Nigeria looked to become the first African team to win a Women’s World Cup knockout match in the 2023 edition of the tournament, but it ended in tears for them.

England advanced to the next stage on penalties, winning 4-2 to seal their spot in the last eight.

The Lionesses rode on their luck but they didn’t lose their resolve and left the Super Falcons in tears.

Chloe Kelly scored the winning kick that helped England beat Nigeria to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

She was fearless in the shootout, absolutely smashing home the decisive one with nerves of steel. Recall that the player also scored England’s winner in the EURO 2021 final.

After Kelly’s winner, Nnadozie went down at the goalline, hands covering her face, she looked broken and had to be assisted on her feet by some of the English players.

You got to feel for the Super Falcons of Nigeria – they dominated the game, hit the bar thrice and had England on the back-foot all through the game.

The players will have no choice than to take great encouragement from their showing in this tournament once this pain wears off.

Australia Beat Denmark

FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia beat Denmark 2-0 to record their second time ever advancing past round of 16.

The Australian women defeated Denmark in front of a sold-out crowd of 75,000 fans at Stadium Australia.

Caitlin Foord put the Matildas ahead in the 29th minute, finishing from a tight angle following a great pass from Mary Fowler.

Hayley Raso scored the second in the 70th minute with a driven finish after good work from Emily van Egmond.

Australia will face either France or Morocco in the last eight on Saturday.