The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
England seal quarter-final place amid more VAR controversy at Women’s World Cup
VAR controversy as Neville’s side reach quarter-finals
England set up a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway after beating Cameroon 3-0 in a remarkable, ill-tempered clash in Valenciennes.
Phil Neville’s side went ahead in the 14th minute at the Stade du Hainaut when Cameroon were deemed guilty of a back pass and, from the resulting indirect free-kick, Toni Duggan teed England captain Steph Houghton to score.
Extraordinary scenes then followed as Cameroon made their displeasure England boss Phil Neville was fiercely critical of Cameroon’s players.
He told BBC Sport: “It didn’t feel like football, to be honest.
“It wasn’t a World Cup game in terms of the behaviour that I want to see from footballers. This is going out worldwide and I can’t stand here and say that I particularly enjoyed it or my players enjoyed it.” known about two VAR decisions that went against them.
After Ellen White’s finish in first-half stoppage time was ruled out for offside and the decision was subsequently overturned, Cameroon’s players remonstrated at length with the officials and there appeared some doubt over whether they would resume playing.
Their anger then increased shortly after the interval when Ajara Nchout fired the ball into England’s net and a VAR review saw that effort chalked off for offside. The game was held up once more as Cameroon made further angry protests, with Nchout in tears.
England survived some scares soon after, then extended their advantage in the 59th minute through Alex Greenwood’s finish, before referee Qin Liang made another VAR check following a Ysis Sonkeng challenge on Fran Kirby, with no penalty being given.
Having come through a test that also saw them receive some rough treatment and Duggan being spat on, England will now face Norway on Thursday in Le Havre for a place in the semi-finals.