England reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup with a penalty shootout victory over a dominant Nigeria team after a 0 - 0 draw.
Only one of the first four penalties was converted, but as England have become accustomed to, Chloe Kelly stepped up to score the winner, securing a 4 - 2 victory for the Lionesses.
It had been a physical battle for 120 minutes, with England having to play 40 minutes with ten players after Lauren James was sent off for a reckless stamp on Michelle Alozie.
But the Lionesses held on to force penalties, denying the Super Falcons what would've been the first knockout match win at a World Cup for an African team.
The heartbreak was clear to see for Nigeria, who were by far the better team for the entire game, but they can take immense pride in their performance not only today but from their whole campaign.
England had made the brighter start in Brisbane but the first chance came to Nigeria, with left-back Ashleigh Plumptre firing a vicious shot into the crossbar from the corner of the penalty area. Plumptre also caught the rebound well to force Mary Earps into a diving save at her near post.
The Lionesses hit back with Alessia Russo being denied by Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie before Rachel Daly thought she had won a penalty from an Alex Greenwood free-kick just ten minutes before half-time.
But after a VAR review, the referee correctly ruled out the penalty, with Daly having backed into Rasheedat Ajibade and forced the contact.
Nigeria flew straight down the other end, with both Millie Bright and Jess Carter making sensational blocks to keep England level at half-time.
The Super Falcons made a quick start to the second half too, with Uchenna Kanu heading onto the crossbar just two minutes after the break.
England did get back on top after the scare from Kanu. Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly both had chances before the hour mark but were unable to hit the target from promising positions.
The final half-an-hour was incredibly tense, with the best chance of the game coming to Rachel Daly, albeit against the run of play. The WSL's top scorer from last season was unmarked from a corner and forced a fantastic save from Nnadozie in the Nigerian goal.
The game took a dark turn with five minutes of the 90 to go however, as Lauren James stood on Michelle Alozie's back and was sent off after a VAR review.
It marked the end of a disappointing game for James, who failed to impact the game as she did in England's 6 - 1 win over China. Her challenge was reckless and frankly stupid; she now takes a three-match ban and will play no further part in the tournament however far England go.
The European Champions saw out the remainder of normal time without coming under too much pressure, but Nigeria came out for extra time with demanding intensity.
Lucy Bronze almost put England in trouble, bundling Michelle Alozie to the ground in the penalty area but the referee wasn't interested.
Alozie played with a lot more freedom without having Lauren James to worry about, and had the best chance of extra time, firing wide from close range.
The second half of extra time didn't create any clear chances, leading the tie to penalties.
It was a slow start to the shootout, just as it had been to the game, with three of the first four penalties off target; Bethany England was the only player on target to give England the lead.
The next four were all on target, with Daly and Greenwood scoring for England and Ajibade and Uchiebe replying for Nigeria.
As is becoming usual for England, the pressure penalty fell to Chloe Kelly, who leathered her penalty into the top corner, emphatically securing a place in the quarter-finals for the Lionesses.
Nigeria were bitterly unlucky to lose having dominated before and after Lauren James' red card.
Whilst the Super Falcons' tournament comes to an early end, England march on, taking on either Colombia or Jamaica in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
There is absolutely no question though that Sarina Wiegman's team will have to improve hugely if they are to have a chance of winning the tournament.
good write up - thanks