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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sophie Downey at Brisbane Stadium

England 0-0 Nigeria: Women’s World Cup last 16 player ratings

England

Mary Earps Nervy punch to start but smart stop to deny Plumptre early on. Marshalled box well. 7

Jess Carter Alert throughout and matched the pace of Nigeria’s attackers. Brilliant first-half block to deny Ucheibe. 7

Millie Bright Solid in the defensive trio. Got her head on deliveries. Made some brave blocks. 6

Alex Greenwood Another who looked comfortable in a three. Struggled with Kanu’s pace. Deliveries troubled Nigeria. 6

Lucy Bronze Unable to attack from wing-back as she would like. Caught in transition on occasion. 6

Georgia Stanway Showed glimpses of her technical ability at times but pinned back by Nigeria’s midfield. 6

Keira Walsh Returned from knee injury into central midfield. Calm on the ball but little space to operate in. 6

Rachel Daly Never stopped running and most potent attacking threat despite playing wing-back. Denied twice by the brilliance of Nnadozie. 7

Lauren James Petulant stamp to see red late on. Gave England a mountain to climb. Marked out of the game. 3

Alessia Russo Held the ball up and pressed well. Presented with few opportunities. Forced Nnadozie into a good early save. 6

Lauren Hemp Ran a lot and troubled Nigeria’s defence. Lacked directness and productivity when in promising positions. 6

Substitutes: Chloe Kelly (for Russo, 88) 6; Bethany England (for Hemp, 105) 6; Katie Zelem (for Walsh, 120) n/a.

Nigeria

Chiamaka Nnadozie Brilliant stops to deny Russo and, twice, Daly. Commanded her defensive line well. 8

Michelle Alozie Big headed opportunity early on. Strong in the air and managed England’s attackers well. 7

Osinachi Ohale Struggled at times to handle the pace of England’s front two. Lucky not to be booked. 7

Oluwatosin Demehin Rare mistake to present Russo with an early chance. Grew into her defensive role. 7

Ashleigh Plumptre Supported Nigeria’s attack at every opportunity. Hit the bar and forced Earps into a fine save. 8

Halimatu Ayinde Energetic throughout and marshalled James well. Strong in the delivery too. 7

Christy Ucheibe Strong in midfield and impressive in the press. Disrupted England’s rhythm. 8

Christy Ucheibe (left) tangles with England’s Jess Carter.
Christy Ucheibe (left) tangles with England’s Jess Carter. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Uchenna Kanu Always an option on the right. Full of running and delivery. Hit the bar in the second half. 8

Toni Payne Relatively quiet by her standards this tournament. Struggled to find space to break into. 6

Rasheedat Ajibade Another strong forward-minded player who supported Nigeria’s attack throughout. 7

Ifeoma Onumonu Fed off scraps despite being good in the press. Substituted for Oshoala shortly after half-time. 6

Substitutes: Asisat Oshoala (for Onumonu, 58) 7 ; Francisca Ordega (for Kanu, 81) 6; Jennifer Echegini (for Ayinde, 90) 6; Desire Oparanozie (for Payne, 114) 6.

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