FIFA WWC: ‘Our match against Falcons was intense’-England Coach

England head coach Sarina Wiegman heaped praise on opponents Nigeria after they took the Lionesses all the way in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 round of 16 tie.

The two sides played out a goalless draw over 90 minutes in Brisbane. England ended normal time with 10 players after Lauren James was sent off for standing on Michelle Alozie. No goals were scored in extra-time with England eventually holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout 4-2.

When speaking in the post-match press conference, England head coach Wiegman said that she was not concerned by her side’s performance and she offered praise to opponents Nigeria for their impressive World Cup campaign.

“I’m not worried (about the performance), it was a really intense game,” Wiegman said.

“If we say I was worried then we underestimated Nigeria. They did really well in the group stage as we all saw, so we were not underestimating them at all. They showed tonight what a good team they have; they were very well-organised, very physical, very athletic, pressed high and we had trouble getting out of that press.

“We could do a little better but you have to give them the credit for how well they got back after we did get out of that first press and kept the ball and created chances. They did really well.

“The game was equal and they were very transitional, so at moments where we lost the ball, they were really quick.

“When LJ (Lauren James) went out, we dropped deeper with 10 players and they had to make the game a little more but they struggled a bit.”

Wiegman went on to discuss James’ dismissal. She defended the player whilst commenting that James has to learn her lesson from the incident.

She said “It was a split-second moment, late in the game where players can get a little tired. She is an inexperienced player on this stage and has done really well and in a split second, she lost her emotions.

“Of course, she doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she is the sweetest person I know. Things like that happen and you can’t change it.

“It is a huge lesson for her to learn but it wasn’t something that she did on purpose.”

England will face Colombia or Jamaica in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Saturday lunchtime.