Lionesses roar to World Cup semifinals
sent out a warning to its rivals as it stormed into the Women’s World Cup semifinals with an impressive 3-0 victory over demoralized Norway on Thursday.
Ellen White scored her fifth goal of the tournament in between Jill Scott’s opener and a Lucy Bronze screamer from the edge of the area as Phil Neville’s side set up a clash with either the defending champion United States or host France.
England was devastating on its right flank with Bronze and Nikita Parris, who missed a late penalty, tormenting their opponents throughout as Norway suffered physically. England got away with some sloppiness on defence, but the Lionesses will hope to improve on their third place finish in 2015.
“What you have seen tonight is that Lucy Bronze is the best player in the world, without a shadow of a doubt. There’s no player like her in the world,” Neville said.
“I’ve played fullback, but never ever to that level she’s playing at,” added the former Manchester United player.
The semifinals will be hosted in Lyon, where Bronze plays her club soccer for Olympique Lyonnais.
England took the lead after only three minutes when Bronze burst down the right flank and cut in from the byline.
White swung and missed, but Scott slotted the ball home off the post for the fastest goal of the tournament so far.
England dominated possession and Parris fired over the crossbar before White came closer when she rattled the upright.
For all their superiority and Norway’s lack of inspiration, the Lionesses were still vulnerable to a comeback.
However, they doubled the tally five minutes before the break, with White tapping in Parris’ cross from inside the area.
The contest was all but over in the 57th minute when Bronze unleashed a rising shot that flew into the roof of the net.
Parris saw her penalty saved by Ingrid Hjelmseth seven minutes from time. She’s the first player to miss two penalties at the same Women’s World Cup.