BRISBANE, Australia — One fallacious step value Lauren James any probability of enjoying within the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals, and really simply may have ended England’s progress within the event.

The 21-year-old ahead was proven a pink card for violent conduct late in regulation time on Monday in a tense round-of-16 sport in opposition to Nigeria, leaving England in a 10-on-11 state of affairs for greater than a half-hour earlier than it ended 0-0 after further time.

Rachel Daly was one of many profitable penalty takers as European champion England received the shootout 4-2 to safe a spot within the subsequent spherical, and later put an arm round James to console her younger teammate.

“She’s disappointed. She’s upset. She’s a young player and I think people forget that,” Daly mentioned as she left the locker rooms after the match in Brisbane. “People put loads of strain on the child. She’s a younger lady, she’s received loads to be taught, and he or she is aware of that.

“She’s been excellent for us. Of course (I’ll) put an arm around her, help her through it and she’ll learn from it.”

James went on instead in England’s opening 1-0 win over Haiti and began within the second sport in opposition to Denmark, scoring an excellent early objective in one other 1-0 win. She scored twice and had three assists within the 6-1 rout of China that earned England high spot in Group D.

Her performances drew consideration as one of many rising stars of the event, however she had hassle discovering house in opposition to Nigeria on Monday evening.

In the 84th minute, she misplaced possession in a contest with defender Michelle Alozie. After dropping her steadiness and falling over Alozie, James pushed herself up after which stepped on the Nigeria defender along with her studs.

Referee Melissa Borjas instantly confirmed James a yellow card, however as replays had been proven in slow-motion on the stadium screens, it went to a VAR overview. The yellow card was subsequently upgraded to pink. It’ll imply James misses the quarterfinals and the semifinals if England goes that far, and presumably extra.

British media in contrast it with David Beckham’s pink card for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone on the 1998 World Cup, an incident that tarnished the England midfielder’s legacy.

England coach Sarina Wiegman mentioned it was an occasion James regretted.

“She’s an inexperienced player on this stage (and) in a split second she lost her emotions,” Wiegman mentioned. “That occurs typically with human beings, in such excessive depth, such an emotional sport.

“Of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She’s the sweetest person I know.”

For her half, Alozie mentioned she was confused about what occurred till she noticed the replay.

“I’m fine,” she mentioned, laughing. “My butt is fine from her stepping on it, but I mean everyone was in a high-pressure situation.”

“I haven’t seen her” because the pink card, Alozie added, “but there’s no hard feelings. It’s just a game.”

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