England survives a dramatic penalty shootout for a place in the quarterfinals at the ongoing Women’s World Cup.

England players celebrating the victory.

It was an atmosphere of despair for the Nigerian players after they lost to England 4-2 on penalties. Nnadozie could not hold her frustration, went down at the goal line, hands covering her face. She looked broken and had to be helped to her feet by some of the England players.

The Super Falcons gave everything in them to see their quarter finals dream see the light of day but England had a goal to achieve which they did through the dramatic penalty shootout. You’ve got to feel for the Super Falcons – they dominated the game, hit the bar three times and had England on the back foot all through the game.

Once the pain settles, they can take great encouragement from their showing in this tournament.

Nigerian succumbing to the ghost of penalties wasn’t the only dramatic moment in the game, Lauren James, the sister of Chelsea right back Reece James was sent off for a misconduct against Alozie who gave James a difficult game. The stamp felt reminiscent to David Beckham’s on Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup. She’s now the first English player to be sent off under Sarina Wiegman. Alozie hadn’t afforded James any space in the game and that stamp seemed more out of frustration than anything else.

England went through on penalties, winning 4-2 to seal their spot in the last eight.