England Eliminates Norway To Face Canada In QF Of Women’s World Cup

England completed a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Norway in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup advancing in the quarterfinals to face host team Canada.

Lioness defender Lucy Bronze helped England record one of their finest victories and win their first ever Women’s World Cup knockout round after scoring the winning goal in the 76th minute mark. After a series of back and forth plays from Jill Scott and Jodie Taylor, Bronze’s sharp shot from outside the 18-yard box curved to the top right corner just inches away from the hand of Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.

“I guess scoring the goal is a bit of history but it was a team effort and a tough game to play in. We are ecstatic to have won. The goal – it was one where normally I would pass, but in training when I get the edge of the area people say ‘Why not shoot?’ so I did, “ Bronze said via abc.net.au.

Norway midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsen scored the first goal of the match in the 9th minute mark executing a perfect header near the post from a corner that bounced in off the underside of the crossbar. England handed the equalizer just seven minutes later after Lioness team captain Steph Houghton overcame two defenders and banked a header off a well-delivered corner from Fara Williams.

The two technically skilled teams cancelled out each other with a scorching heat of around 40 degree Celsius in the grounds of Ottawa. Both teams took every opportunity to rehydrate and replenish after adopting a slow pace because of the temperature. With the knockout match about to close in a 1-1 draw, England suddenly came to life with energetic attacks from substitute Scott and Taylor tactically setting up Bronze for an impressive 25-metre shot that saw the Lioness advanced to face Canada in the last-eight round.

Canada have finally beaten a European team in their 1-0 effort against Switzerland. Substitute Josee Belanger scored the winning goal in the 52nd mark, while goalkeeper Erin McLeod contributed with a pivotal save from an in close Swiss attack in the closing minutes of the match.