Michelle Alozie sends classy message to Lauren James after Women’s World Cup red card
England may have scraped through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup on Monday, but the match will be remembered for a moment of madness from Lauren James. The star forward was sent off for a stamp on Michelle Alozie late in the game, but the Nigeria player had a classy message for her opponent nonetheless.
The match finished goalless and England scraped into the quarter-finals on penalties but the rash decision from James, who had been a star of the tournament until that point, remained a talking point. Alozie is certainly holding no grudges though, posting on Twitter the following day: ‘abeg, rest. We are playing on the world’s stage. This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments. All respect for Lauren James.’ She added in another tweet: ‘Still a red though.’
Alozie went on to miss her spot-kick in the shootout, but she was still in good humour on Tuesday, hilariously posting the picture of her being stamped on by James with the caption ‘life’. Speaking after the match, the 26-year-old who also works in cancer research away from football, admitted that Nigeria were perfectly happy to see the dangerous England forward do something so silly in a huge game.
‘It was good for us,’ she said. ‘James is a really good player. And nullifying her was really big for us. We didn’t want her to move freely and get those shots off that she usually does. It was good for us to have her taken out of the game. I was a little bit surprised by her reaction to the tackle. I don’t think it was really needed. I’m fine, my butt is fine from her stepping on it! I was kind of confused initially. I didn’t understand what was going on at first. There’s no hard feelings, it’s just a game.’
The incident has been a major talking point in the Women’s World Cup and while James will now face a lengthy ban, Alozie has shown that there are no hard feelings between the two players. Her classy message is a reminder that while football is a competitive sport, respect should always be shown between opponents.
Sarina Wiegman defends Lauren James
England manager Sarina Wiegman has defended James following her red card, saying that she was ‘very disappointed’ with the decision and that it was ‘not intentional’. Wiegman also said that she had spoken to James about the incident and that she had been ‘very remorseful’.
England survive huge Women’s World Cup scare
The match itself was an incredibly tense affair, with both sides having chances to win it in normal time. England had the better of the chances but were unable to break down a stubborn Nigerian defence and it took penalties to decide the winner.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps was the hero of the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to send her side into the quarter-finals. It was an incredibly nervy affair but England eventually ran out 5-3 winners and will now face France in the last eight.
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