The second day of Round of 16 action saw a meeting between England and Cameroon at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, while host nation France took on Brazil at Stade Océane in Le Havre.

 

ENGLAND V CAMEROON

The Lionesses progressed to a quarter final against Norway after beating Cameroon 3-0 in a controversial game.

England captain Steph Houghton opened the scoring in the 14th minute after converting an indirect free kick from six yards out, one which was awarded when a backpass was handled by the goalkeeper. Houghton managed to hit the back of the net despite the entire Cameroon team being spread across the goal line.

Ellen White doubled her side’s lead in first half stoppage time. Her initial strike was ruled out for offside, but VAR overturned the decision. This prompted Cameroon player protests in the middle of the pitch after the referee chose not to view the footage herself.

The Cameroonians then thought they had scored early in the second half, however VAR showed a marginal offside in the lead-up play. Some Cameroon players were clearly upset as they remonstrated on the sideline.

England extended their lead in the 58th minute after Alex Greenwood attacked a low corner ball inside the box, neatly scoring with a shot to the bottom right corner of the goal.

England 3 (Houghton 14′ White 45+4′ Greenwood 58’)

Cameroon 0

 

FRANCE VS BRAZIL

France required extra time to defeat Brazil 2-1. The teams were locked at one goal each after regulation time in what was a tight contest.

A potential French opening goal in the 27th minute was ruled out by VAR after Valérie Gauvin was deemed to have fouled Brazilian keeper Bárbara.

Gauvin put her side ahead early in the second half, however this was cancelled out ten minutes later by an equaliser from Brazil’s Thaisa. The Brazilian goal was initially ruled to be offside, but stood after that decision was overturned by VAR.

In extra time, both teams had chances to win the game, with Brazil’s Debinha having her shot cleared off the goal line by Mbock Bathy.

Late in the game Amandine Henry managed to get just ahead of her defender at a French free kick, slotting the winning goal.

The host nation will face either USA or Spain in their forthcoming quarter final.

France 2 (Gauvin 52′ Henry 106′)

Brazil 1 (Thaisa 63′)

Steffen Moebus
Steffen is a life-long Canberra resident and enjoys covering football in and around his home town, as well as Aussies participating in the Nordic leagues (Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark).