🏆 Co-hosts Australia advance as England survive scare against Nigeria | OneFootball

There were two more intriguing last 16 games on Monday with England taking on Nigeria and co-hosts Australia facing Denmark.

Here’s what happened.

Matildas waltz into quarter-finals

Scorers: Foord 29′, Raso 70′

Co-hosts Australia kept their dreams of a home World Cup win alive by seeing off Denmark to book a quarter-final berth.

Australia hit the front shortly before the half-hour mark when Caitlin Foord latched onto a sublime Mary Fowler pass following a quick counter-attack and she kept her cool to find the corner.

That strike stifled the Danes who had started well and they failed to have a real impact in the remainder of the first half.

The Matildas continued to have the upper hand after the break and got the big insurance goal they were seeking following another lethal counter-attack which resulted in Hayley Raso supplying the killer blow.

They received an even bigger boost ahead of their quarter-final in the closing stages as they brought star striker Sam Kerr into the action for her first minutes of the tournament after suffering an injury on the eve of the opener.

France or Morocco will await Australia in Brisbane in the next round.

James madness can’t halt England

England beat Nigeria on penalties to book their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals but they will be without Lauren James after a moment of madness.

The big news ahead of kick off was the return of Keira Walsh to the England XI after injury.

Walsh was rushed back into the side despite fears for her tournament earlier in the week.

The Lionesses started well but Nigeria looked, as they had done for most of the World Cup, resolute in defence.

Millie Bright had a good effort saved after an in-swinging corner, but apart from that, England struggled in the final third.

The African side meanwhile, went closest to scoring in the first half as Rasheedat Ajibade hit the crossbar with a vicious effort.

Sarina Wiegman’s side thought they had a chance to open the scoring late on in the first half as the referee blew for a penalty after a foul on Rachel Daly.

But after a VAR check the official overturned her original decision.

Into the second half and the game to-ed and fro-ed before the big incident that blew the contest open.

Lauren James, the start of the tournament so far, was given a straight red card as she stamped down on an opponent.

It was a moment of madness from the Chelsea attacker and was eerily reminiscent of incidents from Wayne Rooney and David Beckham in the past.

England held out in extra time despite being a woman down, as the match trudged to penalties.

Georgia Stanway, usually so reliable from the spot, blazed England’s first penalty well wide of the post but then Desire Oparanozie did the same for Nigeria.

Beth England was on target however as Michelle Alozie fired over the bar in response whilst Rachel Daly fired hers right into the top corner.

Chloe Kelly, the Wembley hero in the Euros, then rifled her spot kick into the net to win the match.