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England progressed to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating Nigeria 4-2 on penalties. The game progressed to the end of the overtime match without a goal.
In actual playing time, one of England’s most important players Lauren James vented his frustration in an outrageous manner. The winger stepped on a Nigerian defender in the 84th minute of the game Michelle Alozie on and got a yellow card.
– It really wasn’t an accident. It’s starting to make you wonder if yellow is enough for such an outrageous trick. Absolutely mindless performance by Lauren James, the narrator Brother Engstrom described the situation.
After video review, James received a red card and had to leave the field. Sports expert Essi Sainio described the act as really stupid.
– When emotions are running high, a fraction of a second is enough to betray the frontal lobe. He probably knew right away (that he would get a red card), Sainio said before the start of the follow-up match.
You can see the situation in the video at the beginning of the story.
When England’s men’s national team lost to Italy on penalties in the European Championship final in 2021, the disappointment erupted as racism. The young players were the target of insults. Did England’s promotion save James from the same outrageous treatment?
– Probably the effect of the red card will be mitigated with the victory. My sympathies are on James’s side simply because he has played amazing matches until this match, Sainio estimates.
With the red card, James will not play at least in the quarter-final match against either Jamaica or Colombia.
However, Fifa can extend the suspension, and strict disciplinary action is certain in the case of this offence. According to the disciplinary rules, the penalty for “violent behavior” is a suspension of at least three matches. There are at most three matches left in the English tournament.
If players or team personnel are sent off with a direct or indirect red card, they will not be allowed to play in the next match. In addition, Fifa’s disciplinary committee can determine other sanctions, the World Cup tournament stated in the rules.
Earlier in these games, Nigeria Deborah Abiodun received a red card in the group stage Canada match. Abiodun tackled Canada late Ashley Lawrence and stepped pawns first on his ankle. After the disciplinary hearing, he was suspended for three matches, and Abiodun did not have time to play in the tournament.
The goalkeeper was Nigeria’s hero
In the first half, England had numerous chances to score, but all attempts were blocked by the well-played Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
– Nnadozie blocked two hard shots superbly, was calm and placed correctly. He played with composure, communicated strongly with the defense and constantly followed what was happening on the pitch, a former Nigerian national team player Ayisat Yusuf evaluate at half time.
Nnadozie continued his strong performances in the second half as well and the match progressed to the follow-up match in a goalless draw. Although England played the follow-up match underpowered, Nigeria did not manage to score despite their pressure.
– If you play with superiority, you should be able to utilize the space it brings. Responsibility for the style of play lies with the head coach, who in that situation should offer the means to the players, Yusuf assessed after the match.
– At the beginning of the match, Nigeria played well. The team played with player guard, not zone defense. Everyone worked extremely hard both offensively and defensively. If they had been able to play in the same way when outnumbered, England could have been in trouble. Nigeria should have been able to make better use of the superiority, he continued.
The match went to a penalty shootout, which turned out to be Nigeria’s fate. England won the penalty shootout 4-2 after two Nigerian players failed miserably.
Shot the decisive shot Chloe Kelly says that England has practiced a lot of penalty kicks.
– When I walk to shoot a spot, I think I’m going to score a goal. Once I win that mental battle, everything will be fine,” Kelly told the British Broadcasting Corporation for the BBC after the continuation place is decided.
Kelly decided the match when England beat Germany in the European Championship final last summer. However, he did not want to put himself on a pedestal, but instead praised his team.
– We won the European Championships, the Finalissima and achieved victory again. We keep pushing. More to come from this great team.
In April, England beat Brazil on penalties in the Finalissima, i.e. the match between the European champion and the South American champion.
According to expert Sainio, England will certainly have to deal with the Nigeria match a lot.
– And certainly through what didn’t work. They have to admit that Nigeria played a good game, but that game also spoke volumes for England’s resilience. These matches must be won and only the final result matters, Sainio states.