A Guro goal today but not enough, good result for Japan! Norway have had a poor few tournaments over the last little while!

Musovic POTM. 

Just now, Munkworth said:

Musovic POTM. 

Agree, she made some wonderful saves. As for the penalty shoot-out a couple of the players copying Chris Waddle and a fraction of an inch across the line for the winning one.

I won't lie, I got no small amount of pleasure watching USA getting knocked out, especially with Rapinoe missing her kick.

The post match was bizarre, flat out saying that Sweden didn't deserve it and not giving Sweden any credit.   

Ever since the cringey tea drinking celebration a few years back, it’s always great to see the USA women going home early! The Swedes completely deserved it, well done Blondies!

8 minutes ago, Mod said:

Ever since the cringey tea drinking celebration a few years back, it’s always great to see the USA women going home early! The Swedes completely deserved it, well done Blondies!

Nothing wrong with a bit of Schadenfreude.

Well deserved.

Summary for anyone still asleep in England: Nigeria have been somewhat dominant, and Lauren James got a silly red card.

Really stupid from James, wasn't even subtle. That's her world cup over no matter what now isn't it?

Nah, she could play in the semi-final. Both Denmark and Australia would now be chomping at the bit to play England in the next round, shorn of their best player.

James was easily the best England attacker but Nigeria outmuscled and niggled her all game. She needs to learn to rise above it though as she will cop far worse for longer in the EPL as she matures. 

 

 

I thought James was poor from an attacking perspective today yet what she did well was finding a bit of space in midfield on the ball to set up another player, suspect frustration about not being able to deliver her set pieces today (more difficult for sure) were not on target.

Most of our attackers had moments, Russo was the first to match the physicality of the Nigerians in the first 20 minutes, when we looked well off the pace for a while.

Hemp also put in some good crosses despite massive pressure.

Didn't think the fouling on Daly was a penalty yet that late Bronze challenge might have gifted them one back.  

Thought we would win if it went to penalties.

Generally thought Bright and Carter played well, England did well in her late cameo role. Also thought Stanway put in a shift too.

On Sweden's winning penalty it looked like the appeals won as it seemed they were not using goal-line technology!

So Australia through and Sam Kerr back for the last 12 mins with two touches by my count one good, one not so good.

After the match Kerr leads the shout for the team huddle.

I would expect her to start next time though they have done well without her and Raso scores again with a good finish as she falls backwards.

 

Just plain silly from Lauren, luckily England managed to win the shootout. The backlash by idiots shouldn’t be as bad. Hopefully she learns from it, probably looking at a 3 match ban so her tournament is over. 

The Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, South London. The Estate is always decked out with England flags when the national team is in a tournament.

15 hours ago, strider6004 said:

On Sweden's winning penalty it looked like the appeals won as it seemed they were not using goal-line technology!

Not sure what you mean - the referee made the call after the goal-line technology confirmed the ball was in. It looked well in on the replay too, so not really that surprising. 

Looked to me like they were going to ignore it until the Swedish players protested.

Probably just waiting for VAR to pipe up. It was a double save anyway which I’m pretty sure aren’t allowed. 

So there are 11 Chelsea players in the World Cup and in six of the eight teams still in the competition; the exceptions being Spain and Colombia. A good chance that at least one player will win a medal. Odds on who?

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/11-blues-reach-world-cup-quarter-finals

@Valerie must be devastated that the Dutch team are out.
 

Japan vs Sweden is a tough one to call. 
 

 

6 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

@Valerie must be devastated that the Dutch team are out.
 

Japan vs Sweden is a tough one to call. 
 

 

Oh yes, I feel empty inside.

As you know @Munkworth, I don't give a toss about national teams 😆

4 hours ago, Valerie said:

Oh yes, I feel empty inside.

As you know @Munkworth, I don't give a toss about national teams 😆

Yeah there’s no point when it’s obvious…

The Swedes are steaming through, I doubt they’ll win the cup but blimey!

The fact that AKB keeps Musovic on our bench shows just how brilliant AKB actually is. 

So the Matildas march on courtesy of a long penalty shoot out.

France were the better team though the Matildas never gave up. 

Now to see what challenge Columbia will provide against England as they have some talented players too.

 

A nerve wracking penalty shoot-out.  I bet that there will be a few pissed Aussies tonight. Now for the England match. Will be a tricky game for England.