As Sarina Wiegman gathered with her staff in Lang Park, the mood was really one of relief rather than raucous celebration; puffed cheeks instead of pumped fists.
The England manager admitted she felt “10 years older” after Nigeria put her team through it for well over two hours. This unprecedented World Cup may be losing most of the biggest names, but nobody will be able to say the path was easy if the European champions do get to the final here. Quite the opposite, and for reasons greater than the fact Nigeria have clearly been underestimated.
