Following the nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory over Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup, England’s seasoned defender Lucy Bronze made a beeline for the dressing room to comfort teammate Lauren James.
The 21-year-old James faced the dreaded red card in the 87th minute of the round-of-16 encounter after a confrontation with Nigerian defender Michelle Alozie. This heated moment saw James stepping on Alozie’s back, forcing England to navigate the extra time a player down. Despite the setback, England showcased formidable defence, culminating in a 4-2 penalty win. Chloe Kelly’s decisive penalty confirmed England’s spot in the quarter-finals against either Colombia or Jamaica.
The implications of James’ red card stretch further than just the last match. She will be sidelined for the upcoming quarter-final and potentially miss subsequent rounds, depending on the official ruling on her conduct.
Bronze, instrumental in the Lionesses’ robust defence, empathized with her young colleague. “I went straight off the pitch after the game to make sure she was OK,” shared Bronze during a press interaction, highlighting the collective spirit of the team. She further emphasized, “We’ve made it through. It’s a team, it’s not just one player.”
James has undeniably been a standout performer for England in the tournament. With three goals and equal assists in the group stages alone, her absence will be keenly felt. Bronze, however, focused on James’ well-being, praising her maturity and prowess on the field.
“She’s been thrown into the spotlight,” acknowledged Bronze, referencing James’ familial connections with footballer Reece James and her own stellar capabilities. “She deals with it very well.” Bronze also mentioned that James often seeks counsel from the team’s senior players like herself, Jordan Nobbs, and Alex Greenwood.
Despite the setback, the Lionesses remain resolute. As Bronze summed up, “We’re very disappointed to lose a player of her calibre… It’s important to support her.”
