Sarina Wiegman said Lauren James had “in a split second lost her emotions” after the 21-year-old was sent off in England’s penalty shootout win against Nigeria in Brisbane.
It was a moment of petulance from England’s breakout star of the tournament – “a Beckhamesque moment of madness”, as Gary Lineker described it on Twitter. The Lionesses came through a nervy encounter 4‑2 on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
With the tie goalless and finely balanced, James was dismissed in the 87th minute for standing on a prone Michelle Alozie. The Chelsea player’s behaviour was likened by Lineker and others to the kick that led to David Beckham’s red card in the World Cup against Argentina in 1998. England went out then, whereas Nigeria could not capitalise on James’s exit.
“It was later in the game, so players also get a little tired,” Wiegman said of James’s behaviour. “She’s an inexperienced player on this stage and she’s done really well [so far in the tournament].
“In a split second, she lost her emotions. Of course, she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She’s the sweetest person I know. Things happen like that; you can’t change it any more. It’s a huge lesson to learn but it’s not something she’s done on purpose.”
Alozie expressed surprise at James’s reaction to a coming together that left both players in a tangle on the grass. “It was good for us to have her taken out of the game,” she said. “I don’t think it was really needed. I’m fine – my butt is fine from her stepping on it! I was kind of confused initially. I didn’t understand what was going on at first. There’s no hard feelings, it’s just a game.”
England faced their toughest test of the tournament against a spirited Nigeria who had proved their capabilities. Randy Waldrum’s team were well drilled, leaving little space for the midfield to operate and Halimatu Ayinde marked James out of the game. Their strength in transition was clear, their speed in wide areas causing the defence particular concern.
The Lionesses held on, though, and nerves were stretched as spot-kicks were required to see them through after a goalless draw.
“I don’t know what my heart rate is – I just know I’m 10 years older,” said a relieved Wiegman.
“I think if I say I’m worried [by the performance], we underestimate Nigeria. They have done really well in the group stage, so we were not underestimating them at all and they showed tonight what a good team they have … We could do a little better, but I think it is also about giving them the credit for how well they did.
“Nothing is easy in this tournament. You see the women’s game has improved so much. You saw it in the group stage, so many games were equal and it’s not the expected teams who have won all the time. We were really preparing for an equal game, and that’s what it showed. Well, more than that. I haven’t been in very many games that were so intense.”
England remain unbeaten and yet to concede a goal from open play. The goalkeeper Mary Earps, who described Nigeria as “brilliant and relentless”, said: “Every single clean sheet or performance has been really hard fought … We can take a lot of pride and confidence from tonight, the way that we kind of unconventionally got the job done.”
England’s 100% record in shootouts under Wiegman continues, after the win against Brazil in the Finalissima in April. The manager emphasised how her side had prepared.
“We have talked about the psychology of a penalty and we have talked about the execution. Of course, in this moment, this is the hardest pressure, when you have to take a penalty in front of 45,000 people. The consequences of missing or scoring, it’s huge.
“We just tried to prepare as well as possible. Body language is one of them. And also supporting each other, we stand with each other. They stuck together.”
The win has secured England a quarter-final on Saturday in Sydney against Colombia or Jamaica, who play in Melbourne on Tuesday.
