England v Nigeria at FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Key storylines ahead of the round of 16 clash
England and Nigeria will battle it out on Monday (7 August) in Brisbane for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finals. What is the head-to-head-record? Here are the key storylines.
England and Nigeria will come head to head on Monday 7 August in a fight for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finals.
After finishing top of Group D with three wins from three, England find themselves up against the Super Falcons who claimed second place in Group B following two draws and one incredible win against Australia.
Despite the Lionesses heading into this fixture as favourites following their 6-1 win over the People's Republic of China, it is Nigeria that holds the better head-to-head record.
The last time these two sides faced each other was in April 2004 when Nigeria secured a 3-0 win, and before that in July 2002 when they beat England 1-0.
It was at the second edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1995 when they were drawn in the same group that the Lionesses secured a win over the Super Falcons, beating them 3-2 in Sweden.
However, it has now been almost twenty years since the sides came face to face and a lot has changed in that time - both within the respective national team setups and the global women’s game.
Whoever emerges victorious from this fixture will go on to face the winner of Colombia v Jamaica in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter finals on Saturday 12 August, 2023.
Olympics.com looks at some of the key storylines ahead of this huge Round of 16 clash.
Keira Walsh’s comeback
When England midfielder Keira Walsh went down in visible pain against Denmark, the Lionesses feared the worst.
The 26-year-old mounted ‘it’s my knee’ to England medical staff as she was stretchered off before half-time, which prompted strong rumours of an ACL issue - an injury that would have put an end to Walsh’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign.
However just eight days after the incident, the Barcelona midfielder is already training again as England prepare for their Round of 16 fixture against Nigeria.
It is doubtful that Walsh will start against the Super Falcons, but she has travelled and could well be named as a substitute with the ability to get some minutes should boss Sarina Wiegman need her.
The news of Walsh’s fitness comes as a relief - not just to England fans, but to women’s football fans across the world.
Shortly after the injury, the Lionesses took to social media to relieve fans, announcing that Walsh had not suffered an ACL injury.
Although incredible news for the Lionesses camp, the incident speaks to the wider problem of ACL injuries within women’s football.
Around 25 players have missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 due to ACL injury, including England captain Leah Williamson and star striker Beth Mead.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Uchenna Kanu and Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria celebrates after the team advanced to the knockouts during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Battle of the shot stoppers: Chiamaka Nnadozie v Mary Earps
Both goalkeepers have arguably kept their nation in the competition at times, retaining two clean sheets out of three group stage games.
Mary Earps was required to pull off some magnificent saves when her English defence failed to deal with oncoming threats from both Denmark and Haiti. In doing so, the Lionesses secured three wins from three and comfortably progressed to the knockout stage.
In Nigeria’s first game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie came face to face with world football’s all-time leading goalscorer Christine Sinclair as the Canadian international stepped up for a penalty kick.
Nnadozie remarkably saved the shot and Nigeria went on to draw with the Tokyo Olympic Champions - a result that would later help them make it out of Group D.
“I was beating my chest, after saving the penalty, because I had kept hope alive,” Nnadozie told The Guardian. “If we had lost that game, I think we would have been on our way back to Nigeria. That day is one of the best moments of my life.”
It is this penalty save, coupled with the side’s remarkable performance against Australia, that has given the Super Falcons added hope in their quest to make history at this year’s Women’s World Cup.
Both nations will head into this clash full of belief and confidence - but it is a fixture with little room for error.
And error is something we haven’t seen much of at this tournament from either goalkeeper.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Lauren James of England celebrates scoring the first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Goal hungry Lauren James
Currently fourth in the race for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Golden Boot, Lionesses youngster Lauren James is only just getting started.
The Chelsea forward managed three goals and three assists in Group D, and was cruelly denied a historic hat trick when her goal against China was disallowed.
In fact, during England’s 6-0 win over China, James became the first English player, man or woman, to be involved in five goals in one match at a World Cup.
The impact of the 21-year-old has not gone unnoticed, with fans desperate to see James start against Nigeria - a undoubtedly easy decision for boss Sarina Wiegman.
With her first ever Women’s World Cup well underway, Lauren James will be eager to add to her goal tally in England’s Round of 16 clash against Nigeria - and the Super Falcons defence will have to be on red alert if they are to stop the Chelsea youngster.
With pundits already hailing her as the next Kelly Smith, Lauren James is without a doubt a key component in England’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria celebrates after scoring her team's third goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Is this Asisat Oshoala’s year?
The Barcelona striker has never scored more than once at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, and has already found the back of the net in the Super Falcons outstanding 3-2 win over Australia.
But as the 28-year-old finally nears full fitness, could this be the year that she breaks her omen?
Despite struggling with fitness throughout the tournament so far, Asisat Oshoala started two of Nigeria’s three group games against Canada and Republic of Ireland.
Her most memorable performance so far this summer, came against Australia when she was substituted on in the 64th minute.
Oshoala’s addition had an instant impact to the game, with teammate Osinachi Ohale finding the back of the net almost immediately after Oshoala entered the field of play.
Just seven minutes later, the Barcelona forward then scored the winning goal, prompting jubilant celebrations from the Nigerian technical area.
If Oshoala’s brief performance against Australia was anything to go by, it indicates to England her ability to pull something from nothing.
The 28-year-old has proved herself scarily good on the counter attack, a trait that Lionesses captain and defender Millie Bright would have been studying closely in the lead up to their clash.
Oshoala’s fearlessness and winning experience from club level will prove imperative against the European Champions.
If Nigeria are to overcome this huge test against England, then there is no doubt that Asisat Oshoala will be involved in one way or another.