Melbourne, Australia, Aug. 7, GNA – European champions, the Lionesses of England kicked Nigeria out with a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a pulsating goalless draw game at the Brisbane Stadium in Australia.
Reduced to ten players after losing top scorer Lauren James for her unnecessary harsh foul on Michelle Alozie in the 87th minute, it did not pose a threat to England who faced Nigeria squarely for 120 minutes of action.
Marching to the field of play, England’s best chance came through Alessia Russo after the 20th-minute mark, but Nigeria goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie came to the rescue of her side with a fantastic save.
The Super Falcons came in danger when Honduras referee Melissa Borjas called for a penalty following Rasheedat Ajibade’s slight contact with England’s Rachel Dally in the 18-yard box.
However, after a VAR review, the Borjas reversed the penalty decision which gave the Africa team a resounding energy to push for an early goal.
Nigeria nearly found their breakthrough to take the lead, but Uchenna Kanu’s beautiful header hit the woodwork.
The first half ended goalless after both teams failed to find the back of the net.
The tension continued in the other half, and both sides were resolute until Daly and Russo’s close-range headers almost gave England a goal, but Nnadozie saved the situation.
The Super Falcons took control in extra time yet were unable to get the cutting edge and capitalize on the player advantage to carry the day.
With just a few chances from both teams, the game traveled to extra time which also ended barren.
After a pulsating goalless draw game, the game traveled to penalty shootouts to determine the winner to meet either Columbia or Jamaica in the quarterfinal stage.
The tension during the shootout was glaring as Georgia Stanway and Desire Oparanozie fired wide with each team’s first shoot.
England’s qualification was hanging, when Alozie fired over to miss the target, which give the Lionesses a chance ahead and Chloe Kelly struck the decisive penalty to send her side into the final eight.
Ajibade and Christy Uchiebe scored from the spot but was not enough to give Nigeria a place in the quarters.
