MADRID, 7 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The teams of England and Australia got their pass to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Monday after suffering to beat Nigeria on penalties after drawing without goals and beating Denmark with authority (2-0), respectively.
The current European champion reached the round of 16 duel after an immaculate passage through the group stage, but in front of her she had a rival who demanded of her and who showed that her presence in the round of 16 and that her victory against Australia were not the result of the chance.
From the beginning, the Africans knew how to make the English women uncomfortable, preventing Sarina Weigman’s men from imposing their rhythm and even making the rival goal uncomfortable. Despite the absence of Asisat Oshoala, Randy Waldrum’s men had two very clear chances in the opening minutes, a shot against the crossbar by Plumptre and a chance by Kanu that forced Earps to show off.
After half an hour of the match, the play that could change the game took place. Daly received a push from Ajibade that the referee interpreted as a penalty, but after reviewing it in VAR, he corrected his decision.
In the second half the equality was maintained. England, where Keira Walsh was the starter, approached based on arreones, while Nigeria held on and went on the counterattack, but both teams did not have the necessary aim to open the scoring, despite several dangerous arrivals.
In addition, the panorama worsened for the English when the referee, after the warning from the VOR room, sent off forward Lauren James for a direct red card for intentionally stomping on a Nigerian player when she was on the ground. Despite the inferiority, the European champion knew how to hold out well for the remaining minutes and the extra time to find the ticket in the penalty shootout and awaits the winner of the Colombia-Jamaica.
AUSTRALIA GOES OVER DENMARK
In the other round of 16 match on Monday, the hosts Australia, after suffering much more than expected to get through the first phase, reached the first round with the need to make up for the always dangerous Denmark, who reached the crosses for the third time. and hoping to finally overcome that barrier.
The locals, pushed by their fans, came out to impose their superior rhythm and despite the absence once again of their star, Sam Kerr, still suffering from discomfort, took the lead after half an hour when Caitlin Ford managed to open the scoring after a masterful counterattack.
In the second half, the defensive level of the ‘Matildas’ finished off the Nordic team and Haylei Raso, a new Real Madrid player, scored in the 70th minute. With the game decided, Tony Gustavsson made Kerr debut in the last minutes so that it can take shape for the quarterfinal duel against France or Morocco.