The Lionesses are back in action, facing a Nigeria side that upset the odds to get out of a tough Group B - reigning Olympic champions Canada were the surprise victims.
Here's a preview of the upcoming friendly match between England and Nigeria.
Team News
All 23 players in Sarina Wiegman's squad trained on Sunday, including key midfielder Keira Walsh after recovering from the knee injury she suffered against Denmark.
L. Wiegman said: “She is doing well. She has been on the pitch, she has been training today. Of course, in that moment in that game against Denmark, that was a very hard moment, but after the assessments and we knew what was going on and we also said don’t make any assumptions. Just wait until a proper assessment has been done."
Wiegman has already declared that if Walsh holds up following her first training session since 27 July, she will be deemed fit and would therefore be available. What remains to be seen, however, is exactly how match sharp she is after no involvement for a week and a half.
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“Katie did really well against China and now Keira is back, so that's really nice for the team. We know we have other options too."
The other decision for Wiegman is whether to stick the 3-4-1-2 formation that proved so successful against China, revert to her usual 4-3-3, or try something different again.
Greenwood said: "In both formations, we're able to express ourselves. I think for the game and the challenge that was ahead [against China], the back three worked. Whatever formation we play, we're strong in all areas and we'll prepare for anything.
Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala appears to be over the injury that saw her start on the bench in the group stage win over Australia, returning to the lineup against the Republic of Ireland last time out.
Deborah Abiodun is serving the last of the three-game suspension that she received following a straight red card in the opener against Canada.
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Wiegman said: “Nigeria did really well in the group stage. In the counter-attack they are dangerous, they are quick and they are pretty physical."
She replied: “Everyone who plays against us wants to beat us. That is not something new.
ENGLAND VS NIGERIA PREDICTION VIDEO ROUND OF 16 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP AFTER DESTROYING CHINA
Key Stats
- Nigeria have won just one of their 14 FIFA Women's World Cup matches against European opponents (D3 L10), beating Denmark 2-0 in 1999.
- England have scored in their last 16 games in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a new record in the competition (previously level with Norway, 15 between 1991 and 1999).
- Nigeria have qualified for the knockout stage of a FIFA Women's World Cup for the third time, after 1999 and 2019, but are the first African team to qualify for those stages in consecutive editions.
- Two of Nigeria's games at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup have finished 0-0, having not had a single goalless draw in their first 26 games in the competition.
- Against China PR, England’s Lauren James (2 goals, 3 assists) became just the third player since 2011 to be directly involved in five goals in a single FIFA Women's World Cup game after Anja Mittag for Germany vs Côte d'Ivoire in 2015 (3 goals, 2 assists) and Alex Morgan for USA vs Thailand in 2019 (5 goals, 3 assists).
- Christy Ucheibe has made 18 tackles in this FIFA Women's World cup 2023, more than any other player during the group stage and at least twice as much as any other Nigerian player.
Historical Head-to-Head Results
Across three previous meetings, Nigeria actually edge this head to head with two wins to England's one. That being said, the most recent game between the Lionesses and the Super Falcons was 19 years ago - Nigeria won 3-0 in a friendly played at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
Another friendly in 2002 was also won by Nigeria, 1-0 at Carrow Road in Norwich. England's sole victory is the only competitive meeting on record, which was in the 1995 World Cup group stage. Karen Farley (2) and Karen Walker each scored the Lionesses in a goal-filled 3-2 win that day.
Nigeria Lineup
Nigeria: 16. Chiamaka Nnadozie; 2 Ashleigh Plumptre, 14. Oluwatosin Demehin, 3. Osinachi Ohale, 22. Michelle Alozie; 18. Halimatu Ayinde, 10. Christy Ucheibe, 6. Ifeoma Onumonu, 7. Toni Payne, 15. Rasheedat Ajibade; 12.
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Substitutes: 8. Asisat Oshoala for Onumonu 59’, 17. Francisca Ordega for Kanu 81’, 19. Jennifer Echegini for Ayinde 91’, 9.
Substitutes not used: 1. Tochukwu Oluehi, 4. Glory Ogbonna, 5. Onome Ebi, 11. Gift Monday, 20. Rofiat Imuran, 21. Esther Okoronkwo, 23.
Broadcast Information
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will be broadcast in the UK on BBC and ITV.
- United Kingdom: BBC1/BBC iPlayer
- United States: FS1, Peacock Premium, fubo, Telemundo, Universo
- Canada: TSN1/TSN+
- Australia: Optus Sport
- Ireland: RTE 2/RTE Player
- Middle East/North Africa: beIN SPORTS
Prediction
What is very clear heading into this game is that, despite being ranked 40th in the world, Nigeria should not be taken lightly. Their encounters with both Canada and Australia are proof of that.
Things might have looked very different had England not produced a statement performance against China in their final group match. That should given the European champions confidence ahead of this game that they seemed to be lacking previously.
Ultimately, the quality is there for England to win and progress.
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