Millie Bright reckons this year’s World Cup battle is ‘one of the tightest’ with England set for duel with Nigeria
MILLIE BRIGHT is backing the Lionesses to build momentum after they charged into the World Cup knockouts
Lauren James bagged a brilliant brace in the 6-1 demolition of China on Tuesday with England set for a last-16 duel with Nigeria.
Their ruthless shift in which they shredded their rivals defences, saw them equal their record for a highest World Cup match win.
The last time England won by a 6-1 scoreline in the tournament was back in 2007 when they trounced Argentina.
The result in Adelaide, Australia saw them answer critics of their recent slim wins and open play scoreless run.
Skipper Bright said: “We got a lot of criticism in the first two games but we’re not concerned at all.
“I would happily take a clean sheet and a 1-0 win because when you have to grow into tournaments you get your momentum.
“Things start to click and you start to get your rhythm.
“There is no bigger emotion than leading the girls out no matter what the score is.
“Win, lose or draw, I’m always proud to lead them.”
The defeat of China saw VAR controversy rear its head in either halves including decisions to award China a pen and to disallow an England goal.
Lucy Bronze, who hit the woodwork with a thumping header, was involved in both moments.
The full-back was judged to have been offside when James curled in a stunning late first half strike which was chalked off.
And she received a booking for a handball that led to China netting a second half spot-kick.
Bronze said: “I knew it hit my hand, but it wasn’t deliberate. Unless I cut my arm off I don’t know how I get my arm out the way.
“If I was trying to hit the ball away I would have hit my hand in the air.
“I knew it wasn’t deliberate but I guess the referee just wanted to give me a yellow card for fun.
“I had more go against me than anyone else. It wasn’t a fun game in that respect.
“I was quite disappointed with that game to come off with that performance.
“But the most important thing is we won, we’re through to the next game, no one else got injured.”
On James’ disallowed goal, Bronze added: “I feel sad for LJ because I don’t know why it’s been called offside.
“If Hempo (Lauren Hemp) scored the cross I wouldn’t have been offside.”
England’s hefty win at Hindmarsh Stadium saw them avoid group stage embarrassment that befell Germany and Spain.
The European giants, among the contests favourites, found themselves on the wrong end of losses to Colombia and 2011 World Cup champs Japan.
Futoshi Ikeda’s aces thrashed Spain 4-0 despite having just 23 per cent of posession while a late goal saw Germany beaten 2-1 on Sunday.
And the United States were held to a scoreless draw by stubborn Portugal.
Bright said: “This tournament is going to be one of the tightest. It’s anyones for the taking.
“We’ve seen that with some of the results so far
“It’s why we stay in our lane, focus on ourselves and make sure we are the best prepared team on the day.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman, whose team will face Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on August 7, added: “I’m very proud of the team.
“I think we’re really growing into the tournament.”
The Lionesses’ Group D performances saw them concede just once across the three games with no goals netted against them in open play.
A penalty converted by China’s Wang Shuang saw England number one Mary Earps concede for the first time in the tournament.
Bright added: “It’s massive first and foremost as an English team that we take pride in defending and good marking.
“We want to keep clean sheets and as Karen Carney once said, ‘clean sheets mean championships’.
“We got criticism in the first two games for not scoring a goal.
“But I think we have shown how ruthless we can be at the other end.
“It is tournament football, you’re going to concede at times, but other than that I thought we were pretty tight in defence.”