Yahoo Finance England beats Nigeria in penalties to advance to Women's World Cup quarterfinals
Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Chloe Kelly ripped a right-footed shot into the upper-left corner of the net, securing a penalty shootout win over Nigeria and sending England to the 2023 Women's World Cup quarterfinals Monday in Brisbane, Australia.
The shot gave England a 4-2 edge in the session, which followed a scoreless regulation and extra time in the Round of 16 game at Suncorp Stadium. England played with just 10 players down the stretch after Lauren James drew a red card in the 87th minute.
"It's amazing," Kelly said on the Fox broadcast. "Anything that's thrown at us, we show what we're capable of. We dug deep as a group, we believe in our ability and we believe in what we're being told to do.
No. 4 England will face No. 25 Colombia or No. 43 Jamaica on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
No. 40 Nigeria outshot England 18-12, but put just two attempts on target. The Nigerians also controlled 41% of the possession in the physical matchup.
Nigeria nearly took the lead in the 16th minute, but that 20-yard attempt by left back Ashleigh Plumptre drilled the crossbar. Plumptre got another chance on a follow up, but that shot was denied by England goalie Mary Earps.
England nearly broke the deadlock because of a defensive miscue in the 23rd minute. Nigeria fullback Oluwatosin Demehin missed on an attempt to clear the ball away to set up that play.
England forward Alessia Russo then ran on to the loose ball and unleashed a shot, which was blocked by Nigeria goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nigeria and England continued to exchange close attempts, but failed to convert. James then drew her red card for a foul she committed in the 84th minute.
She was first given a yellow card before replay showed that she stomped her foot on the back of Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie. She was then given a red card and ejected from the game.
England managed to avoid allowing a goal through two halves of extra time. Midfielder Georgia Stanway then hit the first attempt of the penalty session wide left. Nigeria's Desire Oparanozie followed with another wide-left miss.
Bethany England converted the next attempt. Nigeria's Michelle Alozie followed with a blast over the crossbar. Rachel Daly and Rasheedat Ajibade each converted the next respective attempts for Engalnd and Nigeria. Alex Greenwood and Christy Ucheibe also made their penalty kicks.
Kelly then stepped up to the spot for the final shot of the game, which she sent past Nnadozie to seal the victory.
Colombia will take on Jamaica in the Round of 16 at 4 a.m. EDT Tuesday in Melbourne. No. 5 France will battle No. 72 Morocco in another Round of 16 match at 7 a.m. Monday in Adelaide, Australia.
