England meet Nigeria at Lang Park, Brisbane, in a tricky Round of 16 tie at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
England enter this match looking to reach the Quarter-Finals for a fifth consecutive tournament, whilst Nigeria seek to match their best-ever run of 1999 and reach the last eight for the first time this century.
Team News
England have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 6-1 win over China to top Group D, although Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp are one booking away from being suspended for the Quarter-Finals if the Lionesses progress.
Keira Walsh (knee) is unlikely to return in time for this match but could be fit enough to feature if England reach the Quarter-Finals.
Nigeria have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match, with a full squad available for selection.
Olutwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozi and Asisat Oshoala are all just one booking away from missing the Quarter-Finals, should
When is Kick-Off?
England face Nigeria at Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia on Monday 7 August at 8:30am UK Time, live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- England have won their only previous World Cup meeting against Nigeria (W1), prevailing 3-2 in the Group Stage of 1995 tournament in Sweden.
- Nigeria are unbeaten in two of three previous meetings against England in all competitions (W2, L1), although both wins came in friendlies in June 2002 and April 2004.
- England have lost their two previous meetings against Nigeria this century (L2), during which they conceded four goals without reply.
- Nigeria have kept three clean sheets in their last four matches in all competitions (W2, D2).
- Lauren James has been involved in six of England’s last seven goals, having scored three goals and created three asists apiece.
Prediction
After producing a tactical stunner to smash China in the face of dodgy refereeing and VAR antics and minus the injured Walsh, England certainly have shown a new complex side to their depth and quality which allowed the team to flourish with a more energetic yet clinical performance.
Nigeria meanwhile have already shown that they’re not afraid to get physical during which they beat Australia, but were forced to grind out goalless draws against eliminated Canada and Republic of Ireland so fatigue could play a part later in the game and especially if go to extra time.
Asisat Oshoala however tends to have more impact on the game as a substitute than starter, so it will be interesting to see how Randy Waldrum approaches this in terms of team selection especially if he wants to maximise Oshoala’s impact upon this match.
Some members of England’s squad though will remember encountering a physical yet volatile Cameroon team at this stage in 2019 which they hammered 3-0 on that occasion, so omens could well favour the Lionesses but Nigeria are a more attack minded team with a powerful counter-attack.
This game therefore does feel like it could come down to who is more clinical and having scored in every group match, England seems to have the better confidence as long as their defence can handle Nigeria’s counter-attacks.
Prediction: England 2-1 Nigeria
Result: England 0-0 Nigeria (England win 4-2 on penalties)