FIFA WWC: Our Girls gallant efforts not enough as England advances to the quarter-final.

The Super Falcons'

gallant efforts to qualify for the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup as failed to yield the desired results.

England had spent 87 minutes playing like a team who were afraid. A team who feared they were going to be the next victim of a giant killing at this World Cup.

The Lionesses had watched reigning champions the United States crash out the night before. Germany, Brazil, and Canada had already suffered shock exits.

When Lauren James, their star player, saw red for violent conduct in the 87th minute the game looked out of their grasp.

 It was shades of David Beckham’s stamp on Diego Simeone in 1998, of Wayne Rooney on Ricardo Carvalho in 2006. In both of those games, England lost on penalties. Not today, not this time.

Chloe Kelly was England’s hero again, scoring the winning spot-kick to give England a 4-3 victory on penalties.

It had not been expected to get to this point. England ranked fourth in the world, were the heavy favourites. But this World Cup has shown us that the FIFA rankings are almost irrelevant. The underdogs have prevailed on more than one occasion. England are lucky they did not do so on Monday.

Nigeria had multiple chances to take the lead throughout the 90 minutes. Early in the first half, Ashleigh Plumptre sent a shot against the crossbar before her second effort minutes later was superbly saved by Mary Earps.

England’s first opportunity did not come until midway through the half. Nigeria defender Oluwatosin Demehin slipped as she went to clear the ball, allowing Russo to get a first-time shot on goal - but her effort was straight at goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The Nigeria goalkeeper was called into action again when she pushed away Rachel Daly’s volley at the near post.

Then came controversy. England were awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark when Daly went down after contact from Rasheedat Ajibade. A lengthy VAR check ensued. It was soft, but in the Premier League, the decision would probably have stood.

Referee Melissa Borjas had given Georgia Stanway the ball as if to say the VAR check was complete, but suddenly the official was running to the monitor to review the footage. Two replays later and the decision was overturned.

In the second half, it was Nigeria who had the first chance after the break as Uchenna Kanu evaded Daly to send a header against the crossbar.

But England grew into the second half, as they had done in the first. Their passing improved but their patient build-up continued to be rebuffed by Nigeria’s stubborn defence. Another chance fell Nigeria’s way, as Kanu sent a free header just wide from a corner.

England then came the closest they had done all game to taking the lead. Greenwood’s in-swinging corner was met by an unmarked Daly, but her powerful header was superbly saved by Nnadozie.

Just as Wiegman was ready to make changes, the game turned as James was sent off for violent conduct in the 87th minute.

James thought she had been fouled by Michelle Alozie but the referee was unmoved. In a rush of blood to the head, James then stood on Alozie’s back as she got up. She was originally shown a yellow card but a VAR review was ordered. The footage was damning, there was no other option but for James to walk.

As the full-time whistle went, Wiegman beckoned her team over. She was about to give the most important team talk of this tournament.

England’s backs were against the wall in extra time. It was one-way traffic but, somehow, they held firm.

Then came penalties. Georgia Stanway, so reliable from the spot, fired the Lionesses’ first effort wide. Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie did the same. Beth England, a player who has had limited minutes at this tournament, scored emphatically.

Nigeria’s Alozie then blasted over the bar. Advantage England. Daly fired England’s third emphatically into the top corner. Rasheedat Ajibade scored to make it 2-1 with three penalties taken each. Greenwood scored to ensure Christy Ucheibe had to do the same - she did. Kelly, England’s Euros hero, had the chance to win it. She scored emphatically. England were through, just. Their World Cup dream lives on.