Against Nigeria, England display the tenacity of a World Cup favourite
Make sure you have plenty of substance to make up for any lack of elegance. The Women’s World Cup favourites England drove home that point by defeating a resilient Nigeria and overcoming adversity to go to the quarterfinals in Australia and New Zealand.
The European champions advanced to the round of eight thanks to Chloe Kelly’s game-winning penalty kick in a 4-2 shootout victory after the round of 16 match had gone scoreless and with England’s Lauren James dismissed. As a result of the United States’ exit in another thrilling shootout against Sweden 24 hours earlier, their progress justifies their ranking as the tournament’s favourites (+225, according to Caesars Sportbook).
However, being considered the favourites in a World Cup can be both a burden and a source of inspiration. During their disastrous campaign, the USWNT did little to earn that distinction. One would argue that Spain (+330), Japan (+475), co-hosts Australia (+750), or Sweden (+900) are more deserving of the “most likely to” designation than England, whose only noteworthy performance thus far was the 6-1 group-stage triumph against Asian champions China.
However, despite the fact that Nigeria outplayed coach Sarina Wiegman’s team for significant stretches of the game and had to deal with James’ 87th-minute dismissal for a senseless stamp on Michelle Alozie, the Lionesses did what winners typically do: they reorganised, dug deep, and fueled off the disappointment of losing one of their best players to force the game into extra time and penalties before winning that test of nerve.
Wiegman stated, “We didn’t expect it to be simple. “I give Nigeria a lot of credit. I don’t believe I’ve ever played a game with such high stakes. It was really competitive and tough.
Instead of relying solely on the star qualities of James, who was possibly overhyped for her two goals and three assists against China, England prevailed thanks to Rachel Daly’s drive, Alex Greenwood’s defensive sturdiness, and Keira Walsh’s illustrious 119-minute performance in midfield after making her team comeback from a knee injury. The game would have lasted 120 minutes, but Walsh, who had tried to play it out to the very end, eventually gave in to the consequences of her recent layoff with a few seconds remaining on the clock. But she had contributed in her own way.
But Daly was the star of the show. The Aston Villa star, who shifted from defence to striker last season and topped the Women’s Super League scoring lists, was once again used as a wing-back by Wiegman, and she displayed a sense of unjustifiable resentment that she was not in charge of the attack. Daly has a genuine fire inside of her, but it works to her advantage and makes her such a crucial part of this England team. James has yet to master that critical skill, and had she not received a red card when VAR had rightly asked referee Melissa Borjas to examine her initial judgement of a booking, England might not have won the World Cup.
England’s chances at the World Cup might have been lost.
Wiegman described the 21-year-old Chelsea player as “young.” “She doesn’t intend to hurt anyone; this is only a brief moment. She will undoubtedly gain something from it.
Since David Beckham and Wayne Rooney were notably dismissed for aggressive behaviour in World Cup games for the men’s team before losing on penalties, it seemed like history repeating itself for England, but Wiegman’s Lionesses were able to avoid the same fate. England could have won the match long before James threatened to jeopardise their standing if they had displayed more of the flair and dominance that are typically associated with favourites. But it was England’s elimination that eventually allowed them to prove why they are the best.
On August 20, they are most likely to become world champions.
The No. 1 and No. 2 FIFA World Ranking teams are no longer preventing England from winning a championship because the United States and Germany are out of the tournament. It is also a fact that, in the New Zealand-based bracket system leading to the championship game, England is trapped into the weaker half of the draw, with Japan, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands locked into the opposite side of the bracket. On Saturday, England will face either Colombia or Jamaica in the quarterfinals, a matchup they will again be expected to win. If the Matildas advance that far, Australia might be a difficult opponent in the semifinal.
However, Wiegman and her team will understand that they must find another gear if they are to win England’s first Women’s World Cup once the excitement of the victory against Nigeria fades. In order to provide England more of a goal threat, Wiegman may have to think about swapping out the ineffectual forward Alessia Russo with Daly. They need more inventiveness in the middle of the pitch.
However, the tenacity of this England team is beyond dispute. They have a strong foundation, so they can succeed if they add some style.
