Tottenham striker Bethany England comes out fighting ahead of World Cup quarter-final
Tottenham Women’s star Bethany England scored a crucial penalty for the Lionesses as they scraped past Nigeria in the last 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Georgia Stanway stepped up and blasted her penalty wide of the right-hand post. Next up was Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie, she had a chance to put the African nation ahead in the penalty shoot-out. Same result, hard and wide to the goalkeeper’s right.
A lifeline for Sarina Wiegman’s ladies. England made the long, dreaded walk from the centre circle toward the box. She placed the ball down, with the weight of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders. The Spurs striker, however, would make no mistake, powering the ball into the roof of the net and helping to send her country on their way to the last eight.
While some might describe it as simply a penalty scored during a shoot-out, it can’t be underestimated how decisive it was. Had she missed, the pressure would have really been on, and who knows what could have happened.
Nigeria were incredible during the 120 minutes but couldn’t find the net as the match ended in a stalemate. Ultimately, it was England who held their nerve and booked a date with Colombia in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday 12 August.
Throughout Euro 2022, former Chelsea striker England was an unused substitute, but has been getting some minutes Down Under, and has now expressed that she wants more.
“I am here to be a part of the team – that is whether it is starting or as a substitute. I love playing football, I want to play as much football as I can at this tournament,” England said, in quotes reported by BBC Sport (10 August).
“I wouldn’t say I am just happy to be here. I think I fought quite hard to get a place on that plane. I wouldn’t say it was just a case of luck.
“We have got some excellent forwards who have been scoring good goals as well. Competition is high, which is not a bad thing because it means there isn’t any complacency.
“All I can do is show up to training every day, push as hard as I can and if that requires that I get a start then great. And if it doesn’t, I am there for the girls no matter what.
“I was in that situation last summer where I didn’t play and it was tough but this tournament has been very different and it’s been an amazing feeling.”
England will be hoping she can make an impact once again when the Lionesses take to the pitch during the quarter-final as they look to advance to the final four.
In other Tottenham news, John Wenham expects a trio of academy stars to make a big impact this season.