Nigeria Painfully Kicked Out Of The World Cup

It was an exciting match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ between England and Nigeria at the Brisbane Arena, Brisbane/Meaanjin on Monday, August 7, 2023.

Chloe Kelly scored the definitive penalty to send Sarina Wiegman’s side into the last eight after a 0-0 draw.

Following an hour and a half, the game ended goalless and went into penalties. Nigeria missed their first two kicks before Chloe Kelly scored the unequivocal spot-kick for England to cruise through.

England ‘fought’ into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ after an exhilarating penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw at Brisbane Arena.

The Lionesses had Lauren James sent off late on in normal time but saw out extra time before prevailing in a tense shootout as Chloe Kelly sent her team through to a meeting with Colombia or Jamaica.

Nigeria verged on starting to lead the pack when Ashleigh Plumptre’s left-footed shot from the edge of the area crashed off the bar and she then saw Mary Earps save a subsequent effort after Britain had failed to clear.

The Lionesses had a chance from the penalty spot just after the half-hour mark following Rasheedat Ajibade’s challenge on Rachel Daly but the referee changed her decision following a VAR review.

Uchenna Kanu headed wide from a corner in the last part before Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie created a fine response save to keep out the plain Daly’s header from a corner.

Mental Strength And Uplifting Perspective Is Nigeria’s ‘Weapon’

James was sent off with three minutes remaining following a VAR review after standing on Michelle Alozie as she got up following a tussle between the two.

Extra time failed to produce a goal before Kelly scored the decisive penalty in the shootout after Nigeria had failed to hit the target with their first two spot-kicks.

With this scoreline, Britain have now won three Ladies’ Reality Cup Round-of-16 ties in succession.

“Obviously just happy we got the job done in the end and onto the next one. I think all wins are significant and obviously you’re trying to get as far in the competition as possible. Nigeria played really, really well and I don’t think we were at our best. We went down to 10 and it was a tough, tough game for us but I’m buzzing we got the job done”, Mary Earps who was named the VISA Player of the Match said.

Randy Waldrum, Nigeria’s coach also spoke:

“I’m so proud of them, to come in and play like we did tonight. We had every opportunity to get it done. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite get it done. We had the best chances, we hit the crossbar twice. When it gets to penalties, it’s anyone’s game”.