Three Lionesses of England goalkeeper Mary Earps has admitted that the European champions were not at their best despite defeating Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
England advanced into the quarter-finals after edging the Falcons 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes of football ended goalless, in Monday’s round of 16 clash at the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup.
Earps and her teammates had to do it the hard way following the sending off of star player Lauren James.
Reflecting on the game, Earps praised the Falcons for their impressive performance.
“Obviously just happy we got the job done in the end and onto the next one,” she said.
Also read: 2023 WWC: I’m Totally Heartbroken —Oliseh Laments Super Falcons Loss To England
“I think all wins are significant and obviously you’re trying to get as far in the competition as possible. Nigeria played really, really well and I don’t think we were at our best.”
Earps, who was named Player of the Match, gave her thoughts on the James’ sending off.
“We went down to 10 and it was a tough, tough game for us but I’m buzzing we got the job done.”
Up next for England is a quarter-final clash against Colombia or Jamaica.
4 Comments
How best can you guys be? Super Falcons match you guys down. There is nothing special about you guys. Our girls were better on all fronts.
Not your fault at all. Without that 50/50 penalties, Nigeria is far far better that you guys with your overhyped Lauren James and Whelch or what is she called?
África must deal with their kurukkere moves in favouring certain countries to eliminate good footballing nations.
England was at their best. The SF simply did not allow that “best” to see daylight.
The SF shut the 3 Lionesses down. The stamp that James gave Alozie was a “confession”. A confession and an acknowledgement of how well the SF did in keeping them at bay. It was a stamp of anger and frustration.
Superintendent Ayinde and company did not allow James any breathing space. I’m sure Ayinde has been watching some Claudio Gentile clips. The legendary Italian man marker who would follow players he was marking everywhere. He would even escort them to the bench when they were subbed out.
The “Italian job” that Ayinde did on James would have made Gentile proud. Hahahaha!