Nigeria’s hopes in the Women’s World Cup were dashed on Monday in a dramatic penalty shootout against England, marking the end of a valiant campaign.
The game was played in Brisbane, with both teams vying for a spot in the quarter-finals. Despite a spirited performance and numerous chances on the break, Nigeria were unable to overcome England, forcing the match to a penalty shootout.
Nigeria’s hopes soared when England’s Georgia Stanway missed her penalty, but the Nigerian side faced misfortune as their subsequent attempts went astray. The European champions secured their quarter-final berth when Chloe Kelly calmly slotted in the winning penalty.
The turning point of the match came in the 87th minute when England’s Lauren James was shown a red card for stamping on her opponent, reducing England to 10 players for the remainder of the game. Despite being a player down, England held on during extra time, with Nigeria unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
Lauren James is sent off after stamping on Michelle Alozie 😬 pic.twitter.com/GstZPvBKea
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 7, 2023
Throughout the match, Nigeria displayed their trademark resilience, frustrating England’s attempts and hitting the crossbar twice. Ashleigh Plumptre’s powerful strike rattled the woodwork, and Uchenna Kanu’s header narrowly missed finding the net.
Nigeria’s journey in the tournament may have ended in disappointment, but their performances have undoubtedly left a lasting impact. The 11-time African champions executed their game plan well, causing problems for their opponents and showcasing their prowess on the international stage.
