Live Update on the England vs Nigeria Match

The Super Falcons of Nigeria took on England in an electrifying matchup early on Monday with hopes of making history by reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

The former African champions, who placed second in Group B, faced England, who won Group D, in what is sure to be a competitive matchup. Nigeria is making its third appearance in the knockout round, while England is making its fifth.

In order to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand, European champion,  England must defeat nine-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champion ,Nigeria. England recovered their form to smash China 6-1 on their route to winning their group after winning their previous two games by a combined score of 1-0.

On the other hand, in Group B, where Australia was in the lead, Nigeria is still unblemished after keeping clean sheets against Canada and the Republic of Ireland. England and Nigeria square off at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on Monday as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup resumes.

England is on a five-match winning streak and finished first in Group D after winning all three of their games. On April 11, 2023, they lost 2-0 against Australia in a friendly match. Nigeria, who finished Group B with a 1-0-2 record, is 5-2-2 overall since the year’s beginning and is coming off a 0-0 stalemate with Ireland on July 31.

In their final World Cup elimination match against Germany, Nigeria gave up three goals. The Super Falcons’ objective is to outperform that result and possibly achieve a shocking outcome.

England kicked off, playing from left to right in white shirts and royal blue shorts. Stanway is fouled while dribbling forward and England have the opportunity to sling a 45-yard free-kick into the box. Up go the center-backs but Nigeria defend the tepid chip well. 

At the round of 16 football match between England and Nigeria on August 7, 2023, at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia and New Zealand, England’s players rejoiced in their win against Nigeria following a penalty shootout. 

 After Lauren James was sent off and the Super Falcons hit the woodwork three times, the defending European champions were fortunate to maintain a 0-0 draw. The Super Falcons of Nigeria were by much the superior team in the game at Brisbane, but England kept their cool to advance on penalties and win 4-2 to guarantee their place in the round of eight.

Despite Lauren James being sent off during regular time, England defeated Nigeria on penalties to advance to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

England’s Chloe Kelly converted the game-winning penalty, and they will now play either Jamaica or Colombia in the round of eight. England was significantly weaker going into overtime after Lauren James was dismissed for acting violently. James, one of the group stage stars, intentionally stepped on Michelle Alozie with 87 minutes left in the game. Although the referee initially showed James a yellow card, Melissa Borjas changed it to a red one after conferring with the VAR staff.

Prior to the dismissal, Nigeria had been the superior team, twice hitting the crossbar with Ashleigh Plumptre and Uchenna Kanu. Rachel Daly had the finest opportunity for England, but her close-range header was well saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie. Prior to that, Rasheedat Ajibade‘s challenge led to Borjas pointing to the spot, giving England’s Daly the impression she had won a penalty. However, after examining the video, the Honduran referee determined there were no violations.

Desire Oparanozie and Alozie both missed their opening two penalty shots for Nigeria. Following Georgia Stanway’s missed opportunity to give England the lead in the first penalty of the shoot-out, Bethany England and Rachel Daly gave the Lionesses the advantage.

Chloe Kelly was England’s hero once more as she scored the game-winning kick after Alex Greenwood maintained her composure to convert and give the Lionesses a penalty. Even though England has advanced to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals, Lauren James won’t be available when they take on Colombia or Jamaica in the round of eight.

James received a red card for stamping on Michelle Alozie of Nigeria during the Lionesses’ match in the round of 16. The referee initially gave the 21-year-old, who has been England’s player of the tournament, a yellow card, but VAR suggested a review, and the yellow card was increased to a red one following the act of insolence.

The victory maintains England’s chances of winning the World Cup, but this will be remembered as a close call.