Sarina Wiegman turning over each stone to discover a path to World Cup glory for resilient Lionesses

Digging deep, clinging on and scraping via.

Today the Lionesses drew on their resilience when the World Cup dream gave the impression to be slipping away from them, to attain the quarter-finals.

Perhaps it is simply the signal of a profitable group once you will be utterly overwhelmed by superior and savvier opposition and emerge unscathed.

Well, not utterly.

England’s frustrations boiled over with the stamp by Lauren James that noticed her despatched off.

A one-game ban shall be served within the final eight, and FIFA may but impose a more durable punishment on the 21-year-old participant who had been the star of the match for Sarina Wiegman’s aspect thus far.

“She’s an inexperienced player on this stage and has done really well, and I think in a split second she just lost her emotions,” Wiegman stated.

“And of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She’s the sweetest person I know, and things happen like that and you can’t change it anymore, so it’s a huge lesson for her to learn, but of course it’s not something that she really did on purpose.”

There was an apology delivered to the dressing room by James.

And somewhat than publicly dwelling on the second of insanity, England captain Millie Bright drew on the teachings learnt.

“In a game where we are challenged and pushed to our limits,” she stated. “We are ready to face absolutely any team and anything,” she added.

Read extra:
England via to quarter-final after beating Nigeria
Fans have fun as Lionesses safe place in quarter-finals
Boost for Lionesses as Keira Walsh returns to coaching

There would have been a special complexion on the post-match inquest had been it not for the 4 penalties that had been transformed after further time.

It took the 4-2 victory within the shootout – accomplished by Euro 2022 remaining match-winner Chloe Kelly – to safe England’s passage to the final eight.

It was a nervy climax to the match nevertheless it had been even nervier for the earlier 120 minutes as England lived dangerously – defending a 0-0 draw to drive penalties.

“It’s a very special environment, a very special pressure cooker,” goalkeeper Mary Earps stated. “You’re obviously trying to build as much mental resilience as possible anyway.”

Resilience England demonstrated they’ve in abundance – whereas preferring to not depend on it.

They already know up subsequent shall be quarter-final first-timers. Whether it’s Jamaica or Colombia shall be decided on Tuesday.

Beyond the absence of James shall be a choice for Wiegman on whether or not Keira Walsh can begin once more after struggling to make an influence after every week sidelined with a knee damage.

Wiegman stated: “I have never experienced so many problems, but of course it’s my job to think of things that can happen in a game or in a tournament or ahead of the tournament.

“So you attempt to flip each stone, after which attempt to already consider an answer if issues occur, and in the present day we obtained completely examined on these turned stones.”

But in contrast to the Women’s World Cup heavyweights of the United States, Brazil and Germany, it’s England nonetheless on this match – with an opportunity of successful the prize for the primary time.