A round of 16 game between the 2022 European Champions and the 11 time African Champions. Prior to the start of the 2023 World Cup, England were ranked 4th and Nigeria, 40th. Teams like Vietnam (32nd) and Argentina (28th) were ranked above Nigeria.
In front of 49,461 mainly English supporters - although the Nigerians were well represented, ably backed by the neutrals - England got the fright of their life. The Nigerian team had not read the script and were unlucky to not win the game in normal time. In the end, after extra time during which England held on with 10 players, it was down to the lottery of penalties. England held their nerve and Nigeria, who had won the hearts of the neutrals in Brisbane Stadium, had to pack their bags. (7th August 2023).
A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water (Eleanor Roosevelt)
 |
 |
THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT
If you had any fingernails left after 120 tense minutes, now it was time for the penalty shootout.
Here the referee gives the customary "stay on the line ladies" lecture to both goalkeepers.
Chiamaka Nnadozie (NGA) in yellow and Mary Earps (ENG) in pink.
 |
|
| |
 |
OH DEAR, NOT A GOOD START!
Georgia Stanway was first up for England. To the dismay of the supporters behind the goal, she sent the ball wide of the left hand post. Desire Oparanozie then replicated Stanway's effort as her kick went past the same post. England, through the appropriately named Beth England, then gave England the lead with a well taken spot kick.
Nigeria's chance to level things came when Michelle Alozie took her team's second kick. It went over the top and headed into outer space.
Left: Alozie's spot kick heads for the stars.
|
|
| |
 |
NIGERIA ARE ON THE BOARD
Rachel Daly sored with a cool, confident, third spot kick for England that was followed by Rasheedat Ajibade notching Nigeria's first.
Advantage to England - 2-1.
Left: Ajibade's succesful kick gave Earps no chance in the England goal.
|
|
| |
 |
BOTH SIDES SCORE
Alex Greenwood took England's fourth kick and coolly placed it beyond the reach of Chiamaka Nnadozie in the Nigerian goal.
Charity Ucheibe then scored for Nigeria - 3-2 in favour of England. Convert the next one and it is quarter finals time for England.
Left: Greenwood's spot kick is on its way to the back of the net.
|
|
| |
 |
COOL AS A CUCUMBER
Chloe Kelly stepped up to take England's fifth kick. Score and the game is over. Nearly 50,000 held their collective breath. The coolest person in Brisbane Stadium was Chloe Kelly. She rifled the ball into the corner of the goal beyond the dive of Nnadozie, the Nigerian goalkeeper.
Queue wild celebrations - and a few rounds of Sweet Caroline!
Left: Chloe Kelly's spot kick is rifled into the goal beyond the desperate reach of Chiamaka Nnadozie.
|
|
| |
 |
QUARTER FINALS BECKON
England players rush from the centre line to celebrate with Chloe Kelly.
In the goal lies a distraught Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nnadozie had an excellent tournament but was inconsolable after England's fourth penalty went in.
Kelly and Greenwood were first to her to try and console her.
|
|
| |
 |
TERRORS FAN CELEBRATES
After the game, England supporters breathed a BIG sigh of relief having escaped a bullet. The penalty shootout win ensures a Quarter Final spot against Colombia.
This Terrors fan celebrates the win over Nigeria with a big, albeit very relieved, smile.
|
|
The Scarf Home Page