England star Lauren James sent-off for shock ‘Wayne Rooney moment’ to leave World Cup dreams in jeopardy vs Nigeria

ENGLAND star Lauren James was sent off for deliberately STAMPING on a Nigeria player.

James – the sister of Chelsea and England ace Reece – was given her marching orders in the dying moments of normal time after a VAR review. for deliberately stepping on Michelle Alozie.

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Lauren James clashed with Michelle Alozie in the dying stages of the quarter-final tie[/caption]

PA

And she lost her head seconds later and stamped on the back of Alozie[/caption]

PA

James’ stamp wasn’t initially seen by the referee[/caption]

AP

But referee Melissa Borjas gave James her marching orders after being informed of the violent conduct by the VAR[/caption]

James, 21, ended up on top of the Nigeria striker after a tussle for the ball.

But she lost her head and decided to deliberately stamp on Alozie’s back.

The referee, however, didn’t initially spot the incident.

But after being informed of the violent conduct by VAR, she didn’t hesitate to send James for an early shower.

Lionesses fans couldn’t believe their eyes and flocked to Twitter to express their dismay.

And some likened the incident to Wayne Rooney‘s infamous red card against Portugal, which he received for stamping on former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2006 World Cup.

One tweeted: “It’s Wayne Rooney all over again LOL.”

Another said: “Lauren James with a Wayne Rooney moment!!

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And another said: “Lauren James with her Wayne Rooney 2006 moment!

“Will this cost them the tournament?”

One remarked: “Lauren James going flll Wayne Rooney World Cup 06 there.”

Another chimed in: “Lauren James, absolutely livid.

“That is worse, considerably worse, than Beckham or Rooney.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker likened James’ dismissal to David Beckham‘s moment of madness against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

He tweeted: “The @Lionesses down to 10 as Lauren James has a Beckhamesque moment of madness.”

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James’ dismissal was likened to Wayne Rooney’s moment of madness at the 2006 World Cup[/caption]

James’ straight red has likely ruined her chances of winning the golden boot – which she was widely tipped to claim.

Former England star Fara Williams tipped James for World Cup greatness in an interview with The Mirror, saying: “She’s an exceptional talent.

“And one that I was looking forward to seeing her showcase that on the world stage.

She added: “I knew that she had, not just the qualities on the pitch, but the calmness to demonstrate it which is something else.

“She’s such a composed athlete, and I’m just so happy to see her have done what she’s done.

“Player of the match in her first two starts at the World Cup, that speaks volumes of her as a player.”