Nigeria's Opportunity
Goalkeeper Earps dived very quickly to save the England women's team.
The Nigerian team was not inferior, they even played more proactively than the English team. The African team's strong, fast and skillful players played with confidence.
Nigeria's Opportunity
Plumptre's long shot hit the crossbar.
Nigeria's Opportunity
Alozie headed the ball hard but Russo was in the right position to head it away.
Nigeria's Opportunity
Kanu shoots towards the far corner. The England goalkeeper is alert and plays it safe, pushing the ball away for a corner.
THE MATCH BEGINS
England 0-0 Nigeria
England vs Nigeria lineup
England: Mary Earps (1-TM), Alex Greenwood (5), Millie Bright (6), Jessica Carter (16), Lucy Brnze (2), Keira Walsh (4), Lauren James (7), Georgia Stanway (8), Rachel Daly (9), Lauren Hemp (11), Alessia Russo (23).
Nigeria: Chiamaka Nnadozie (16-TM), Ashleigh Plumptre (2), Osinachi Ohale (3), Blessing Demehin (14), Michelle Alozie (22), Ifeoma Onumonu (6), Toni Payne (7), Christy Ucheibe (10), Rasheedat Ajibade (15), Halimatu Ayinde (18), Uchenna Kanu (12).
England vs Nigeria Prediction
Nigeria is ranked 40th in the world, the lowest in Group B of the 2023 Women's World Cup. However, the team's performance in the group stage shows that their position in the FIFA rankings does not reflect their true strength. Experience in the biggest arena and having reached the knockout stage before helps the Nigerian team choose a suitable and effective way of playing.
England women's team face Nigeria.
The African representatives not only defended solidly (keeping 2 clean sheets in 3 group stage matches), they also knew how to punish their opponents' mistakes to create a shock when defeating host Australia 3-2. However, as they progressed deeper into the tournament, the surprise factor of the Nigerian women's team gradually decreased.
The challenge in the round of 16 is much more difficult than the opponents Nigeria faced in the group stage, with them facing the reigning European champions, England.
England Women topped Group D with a perfect record. They took all nine points, scoring eight goals and conceding just one from a penalty. Overall, England's performance has improved as they have picked up the pace of the tournament.
Coach Sarina Wiegman and her team started the tournament with narrow victories over Haiti and Denmark, which was not enough to satisfy the fans. It was not until the final match against China that the reigning European champions truly showed their formidable strength.
England are not lacking in pragmatism. Their caution can negate the chance of surprises, especially when they score early. Even when their attacks are ineffective, England can still create turning points thanks to moments of brilliance from Lauren James - England's most in-form player in the group stage, who is very dangerous when moving from the left wing to the middle to break through or shoot from distance.
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