England endured a major panic as they beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the bottom eight. Photo: Getty Images/Naomi Baker
If the best teams find a way to win when they're not playing very well, England are a lot better than anyone thought. They've played poorly in every game but one at this World Cup.
They're not performing at their optimum level, and captain Millie Bright knows it, but that doesn't stop her from being proud of herself as a team and their stubborn unwillingness to be beaten .
It was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who coined the phrase «monsters of mentality» about his players when they were chasing Quadruples in 2022, and this group of Lionesses share similar qualities.
England reached the quarter-finals of another major tournament after somehow beating dangerous Nigerian team on penalties in Brisbane.
Now that the analysis is done, lightning bolt replays of Chloe Kelly's winning penalty (currently was the hardest hit of the tournament) marked and highlights — or lack of them — absorbed, manager Sarina Wigman is in trouble. to address.
Big, but the one thing we can't doubt is their strength of character, their ability to get things done, and their iron-clad determination to succeed. It got them this far and it's important not to lose in knockout football.
England will play either Colombia or Jamaica in the #FIFAWWC quarter-finals next Saturday thanks to THIS Chloe Kelly penalty! #ENG #NGA #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/9MnqxoceeK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) Aug 7, 2023 Sent off by Lauren James for stepping on an opponent while frustration and anger were seething and Bright's eyes sparkled.
“Just really proud,” she replied in her deep Derbyshire accent. “Many asked, was it hard there? Of course it's tough, it's a World Cup knockout game. We knew these games were going to be very difficult going into this tournament.
“But then again, I've been saying it since day one, our character, our mentality, our resilience to give absolutely everything for the badge. represent our fans at home and ultimately find a way to win — we did it again.
“100 percent our mentality helped us get through it. But to be honest, I don't think we really care. We have advanced to the next round. Tournament football is about doing work. Of course we all want to be better.
“We all want to play perfect and be able to come to these interviews and say how cool we looked. But ultimately, I'm just worried if we break through. And, again, we are ready for any opponent, any challenge we face.”
Bright, along with defensive partners Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, Rachel Daley and goaltender Mary Earps, were the only players to come out with real credit.
Mary Earps was named Man of the Match for a run of saves that kept England struggling. the team's efforts to hold on against Nigeria when they were reduced to 10 players for all extra time.
“To be honest, I think everyone stepped up,” Bright explained. “It's a team sport and that's why we play defensively.
“Our job is to keep the ball out of the net and wait for the attackers to get it to the other end. It's just your role in football.
«But I think everyone stepped up, I think we showed composure to stay in the game, especially up to 10. We had such a mindset not to give up and know our process, and know what we want to go through and what we can achieve. I'm just really, really proud of today's girls. There are many emotions.”
These emotions are shared by millions of people at home. England don't often win shootouts in major tournaments, but the Lionesses won on Monday morning in the UK.
They found a way, and you're always only as good as your results. England have won four out of four in Australia and while pre-tournament favorites Germany and the US are already home, the Lionesses are marching down the Down Under.
Really, mental monsters.
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