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As it happenedended

England vs Cameroon: Lionesses secure safe passage to quarter-finals

Phil Neville’s England are into the last eight in France

Kieran Jackson
Valenciennes
Sunday 23 June 2019 14:48 EDT
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Women's World Cup: England train ahead of last-16 match

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England took on Cameroon in the Women's World Cup last 16 on Sunday afternoon.

Phil Neville's side are into the quarter-finals after an ill-tempered game where VAR took centre stage in Valenciennes. Steph Houghton opened the scoring, Ellen White added a second after a VAR review before Cameroon thought they had one back only for the technology to rule it out sparking chaos. Alex Greenwood made it three to seal their spot in the last eight.

A meeting with Norway now awaits on Thursday after the Scandinavians emerged from a tense game with Australia victorious on penalty kicks on Saturday evening.

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45+4 minutes: England 1-0 Cameroon

DISALLOWED GOAL FOR ENGLAND!

Bronze feeds White in behind, and it's a clinical finish from White with her left foot but she's flagged offside!

I have to say, it's very very tight... she looks level to me...VAR is looking.

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:19

GOAL! England 2-0 Cameroon (White 45+4')

The decision is reversed, and England have a two-goal lead!

It's Ellen White's fourth goal of the tournament - it's the right decision, no doubt about it.

Excellent finish too, sending the keeper the wrong way with a left-footed finish!

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:19

Well, what's happening now is quite astonishing!

The Cameroon team, who are aghast with the decision, are all standing in a huddle in the centre-circle seemingly in protest at the decision, which was definitely the right one!

I believe the confusion lies in the fact the players saw a TV replay in the stadium, and they obvious thought that showed White to be offside. 

For the record, she was definitely onside. Play eventually resumes, as the Cameroon players are booed inside the stadium...

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:23

HALF-TIME: England 2-0 Cameroon 

The referee blows the half-time whistle, and the Cameroon players get into a huddle on the pitch before eventually walking off. 

The Cameroon manager, Alain Djeumfa, is gesturing to TV cameras at the decision. 

Anyway, a goal from an indirect free-kick six yards out from Steph Houghton gave England the lead, before Ellen White's composed finish on the stroke of half-time.

Cameroon need to pull themselves together during the interval - the scenes at the end were farcical. 

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:23

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:27

The BBC are reporting that some Cameroon players are in tears in the tunnel, accusing FIFA of racism...

Again, I can't stress enough - Ellen White was definitely onside, and the awarding of the goal after a VAR check was the right decision. 

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:29

Here's Ellen White's trademark celebration following her fourth goal of the tournament!

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:30

And here's the Cameroon players arguing the decision with the referee...

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:32

A bizarre conclusion to the first-half.

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:34

Phil Neville talking to the BBC at half-time: 

"We were in total control. I want us to have better quality in the final third."

"They're obviously frustrated, I don't know why, but we have to keep our composure and concentration."

Kieran Jackson23 June 2019 17:38

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