England vs Nigeria LIVE! Women’s World Cup 2023 match stream, latest score and goal updates today
England are into the last-16 of the Women’s World Cup after breathing life into their tournament challenge with a huge 6-1 win over China. The Lionesses had hardly lit proceedings alight during their first two games but were back amongst the goals last time out as they look to follow up their Euro 2022 success by going deep here.
The manner of their last win has raised hopes once more. Sarina Wiegman is hugely experienced in this environment and there’s little reason England at their best cannot make a major play to win the tournament outright, particularly with the draw appearing to open up after some shock. The Lionesses have Keira Walsh back in the starting lineup after she avoided serious injury, in what is a major boost.
Nigeria cannot be written off, of course, but they face an almighty task to overcome an England side hitting form. Follow England vs Nigeria LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog and Simon Collings will be providing expert analysis from the ground!
Live updates
Here we go!
Teams are out onto the pitch in Brisbane, Lauren James as ever is seemingly the most relaxed person in the stadium.
Time for the anthems!
Wiegman on Nigeria threat
Sarina Wiegman has insisted nobody in an England shirt will be taking anything for granted against Nigeria, with the Lionesses boss confident her side are ready for the challenge ahead.
“We’ve not had an easy game at all and that’s what we expect, that it will be very competitive and we need to be at our best,” Wiegman said. “Everyone who plays us wants to beat us.
“The games have been very competitive. Nobody can be complacent because that’s inappropriate. I think Nigeria have done really well in this tournament and were in a very hard group. We all saw they did very well.
“They are an athletic team, quick in the transition and also want to play. We are aware of their strengths. What we will try to do is exploit their weaknesses.”
Onumonu: There’s no pressure on us
England full of confidence
It was not a hugely convincing start to the tournament from England, with back-to-back 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark.
A change of shape against China last time out proved a brilliant decision from Sarina Wiegman, as the Lionesses finally clicked into gear with a 6-1 victory.
They will be on a high after that performance and result – enjoy the goals from that match below!
Simon Collings at Suncorp Stadium
England out to warm up and Keira Walsh is moving absolutely fine. No strapping or tape on her knee.
Warming up and chatting with her good friend, Georgia Stanway.
Waldrum: Nigeria can be a world power
Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum believes his side can become a world power in women’s football and beating England would have a transformational impact on the country.
The Super Falcons have impressed on their journey to the knockouts, unbeaten in the group stage including a win over co-hosts Australia. That was achieved despite a disrupted build-up, with Waldrum revealing on the eve of the tournament he and players hadn’t been paid.
“I’m just giving the credit to the players, it’s something that’s inside them,” said Waldrum. “It’s in their DNA to compete and overcome obstacles because that’s what they’ve done through their careers.
“Nigeria could be a world power if we start to do things properly and invest like so many other nations need to do as well.
“It would be a huge win [if Nigeria beat England]. Obviously, with what we’ve accomplished, Nigeria is buzzing again, from what I understand. It could be transformational in a lot of different ways.”
Click here for his full comments!
How the knockout stages are looking
Four teams have already booked their spots in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup.
Spain will take on the Netherlands, after both picked up comfortable last-16 wins, while Japan go up against Sweden, who knocked out defending champions USA on penalties yesterday.
England on the other side of the draw to that, and will face either Colombia or Jamaica in the quarter-finals should they beat Nigeria this morning.
Win that and it would then be Australia, Denmark, France or Morocco in the semi-finals.
Oshoala on the bench
Just one change for Nigeria too.
Interesting one, as Ifeoma Onumonu starts and Asisat Oshoala drops to the bench. Bold move not to have Oshoala in from the off in such a huge game.
Then again, not a bad option to have off the bench.
Nigeria team news
Starting XI: Nnadozie, Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre, Ucheibe, Ayinde, Ajibade, Payne, Kanu, Onumonu.
Subs: Oluehi, Balogun, Ogbonna, Ebi, Oshoala, Oparanozie, Monday, Ordega, Echegini, Imuran, Okoronkwo, Abiodun
