Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest news as England await Lauren James decision ahead of Colombia quarter-final

The quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup are set as England continue their preparations for Saturday’s clash with Colombia in Sydney.

After a group stage of shocks and surprises, the tournament has reached its business end with several big names still standing. The Lionesses survived a scare to defeat Nigeria on penalties as Sarina Wiegman’s side reached the last eight, and are now awaiting news from Fifa’s disciplinary panel as star forward Lauren James faces being ruled out of the rest of her tournament after her red card.

The next two days are rest days for the teams left remaining, with the action continuing on Friday with a blockbuster pair of matches. First Spain will play Netherlands in an all-European clash, before Sweden face Japan, who have been the standout team at the World Cup so far. It’s England’s turn on Saturday as they face Colombia, after co-hosts Australia play France on what is set to be an electric night in Brisbane.

Follow all the latest news from the Women’s World Cup in our live blog, below:

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest news and updates

England prepare for Colombia quarter-final after beating Nigeria on penalties
Lauren James apologises for World Cup red card and stamp on Nigeria player
England star could miss rest of tournament with Fifa disciplinary panel set to decide

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Mary Earps shirt petition reaches 35,000 signatures

12:59 , Jamie Braidwood

A petition to force Nike to make the kit of England goalkeeper Mary Earps available for public purchase during the Women’s World Cup has reached 35,000 signatures.

England’s home and away replica kits are available for fans to buy but the Lionesses goalkeeper jerseys have not been put up for sale by clothing giant Nike – the team’s kit supplier.

This is despite Earps being a genuine superstar of world football and arguably the best goalkeeper in the world – having been the Lionesses’s shot-stopper when they won the Euros last summer and being named Fifa’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper for 2022.

Petition to get Nike to sell England goalkeeper Earps’ shirt nears 35,000 signatures

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Nigeria players slam lack of support

12:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Nigeria forward Ifeoma Onumonu criticised a lack of support from the country’s football federation after the Super Falcons were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup by England on penalties, revealing that players sometimes have to share beds at their training base back home due to insufficient resources.

Nigeria were eliminated from the World Cup after a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to the Lionesses but were the better team in large spells against the European champions, who held on to a goalless draw following Lauren James’ red card late in normal time.

Nigeria’s build-up to the World Cup was disrupted by a pay dispute, with the team’s American manager Randy Waldrum revealing before the tournament that some players had not been paid in two years by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Onumonu went further after the defeat to the Lionesses and said that although Nigeria could take pride from competing against one of the best teams in the world, the Super Falcons were being held back by a lack of resources compared to their European counterparts.

Nigeria team forced to ‘share beds’ as players slam lack of support

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Sarina Wiegman has another problem to solve

11:45 , Jamie Braidwood

As Sarina Wiegman gathered with her staff in Lang Park, the mood was really one of relief rather than raucous celebration; puffed cheeks instead of pumped fists.

The England manager admitted she felt “10 years older” after Nigeria put her team through it for well over two hours. This unprecedented World Cup may be losing most of the biggest names, but nobody will be able to say the path was easy if the European champions do get to the final here. Quite the opposite, and for reasons greater than the fact Nigeria have clearly been underestimated.

Wiegman actually said it was as “intense” a game as she’s ever faced. One other reason for that, however, is exactly why this tournament has been so arduous as a whole.

Every time the manager solves one problem, it feels like an even bigger one presents itself. There’s always something bigger to fix.

Now, after impressively reshaping the team in the wake of Keira Walsh’s absence, she has to do so again for Lauren James’ red-card suspension.

By Miguel Delaney

In World Cup of revolving problems, Sarina Wiegman has another to solve

Women’s World Cup LIVE: France cruise through to quarter-finals

10:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Eugenie Le Sommer netted a brace to lead France to a 4-0 victory over debutants Morocco in their last-16 match at the Women’s World Cup, and into the quarter-finals for the third consecutive time.

Kadidiatou Diani’s fourth goal of the tournament, a header in the 15th minute, sparked an eight-minute three-goal Les Bleues blitz, with Kenza Dali and Le Sommer also scoring at Hindmarsh Stadium, ending the North African side’s fairytale run.

France next face hosts Australia in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Brisbane.

Morocco became the lowest-ranked team (72) to play in the last 16, bouncing back from a 6-0 rout by Germany to beat South Korea and Colombia. But they were no match for fifth-ranked France who went unbeaten in the group stage, capped by a dramatic 6-3 win over Panama.

Le Sommer increased her all-time leading goalscoring record for France to 92, while the game marked the first time Les Bleues had scored four goals in a World Cup knockout game.

France thrash Morocco to set up quarter-final clash with hosts Australia

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Colombia set up England quarter-final

10:14 , Jamie Braidwood

It only took a moment for Jamaica’s plan to unravel. After keeping three clean sheets in their historic progression from the group stages, a goal was all it took for their World Cup dream to finally appear out of reach. As Deneisha Blackwood was caught under a high ball, Colombia found the quality they had long been searching for: Catalina Usme cushioned it perfectly on her left foot, and a step later it was guided into the far corner.

For the first time in four matches at this World Cup, Jamaica and goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer conceded, and if this last-16 tie desperately needed a goal, so did Colombia’s entire approach. After taking the lead, they finally began to look like the team that shocked Germany in topping Group H, and who will now look to do the same against England in the quarter-finals. Playing Jamaica didn’t suit them. Facing the Lionesses might.

Colombia overcome Jamaica - and show why they will scare England

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Why Lauren James must be protected, not vilified

09:31 , Jamie Braidwood

When Sarina Wiegman saw Lauren James after her red card against Nigeria, the first thing the manager said to her was “it happens”. There was absolutely no castigation, a stance made easier by the player’s immediate apology and the fact England got through.

It has made the squad’s World Cup that bit more complicated, though, not least because of the curious regulation that James may not even know her full punishment until after the quarter-final. It is a definite one-game ban until Fifa’s disciplinary committee review the moment, which isn’t certain to happen before Saturday.

One thing that probably is certain is that, for all the obvious comparisons, this was never going to be a David Beckham 1998 or Wayne Rooney 2006. That isn’t just because England won on penalties. We are a long way from “10 Heroic Lions, One Stupid Boy”, particularly when it comes to women’s football.

One of the most common responses after the game - beyond the question of what James was actually doing - was that she should be protected from the pitchforks that Rooney and Beckham faced.

That is a good thing. It is just football, and she is only a 21-year-old experiencing a game of such intensity for the first time.

By Miguel Delaney

Why Lauren James must be protected, not vilified, after World Cup red

Women’s World Cup LIVE: When could James decision be made?

08:45 , Jamie Braidwood

A three-match ban would see James ruled out for the rest of the tournament if England were to reach their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.

A decision might not be made until after England’s quarter-final, however, once James serves her automatic one-match ban.

Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun was given a three-match ban after she was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Canada’s Ashley Lawrence in the group stage, but her ban was not increased until after she had served the first game.

Lauren James has apologised to Michelle Alozie over the red-card incident (PA Wire)

Women’s World Cup LIVE: James ‘lost her emotions'

07:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Lauren James had been England’s player of the World Cup but was left frustrated after Nigeria marked her out of the game and lashed out, with manager Sarina Wiegman admitting she “lost her emotions”.

England manager Wiegman chose not to criticise James and said: “She’s an inexperienced player on this stage and has done really well, and I think in a split second she just lost her emotions.

“And of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She’s the sweetest person I know, and things happen like that and you can’t change it anymore, so it’s a huge lesson for her to learn, but of course it’s not something that she really did on purpose.”

Women’s World Cup LIVE: England release statement on James red card

07:14 , Jamie Braidwood

After receiving a red card, Lauren James is automatically suspended for England’s next match against Colombia, however her punishment will be reviewed by a Fifa disciplinary panel.

If the forward is deemed to have committed a serious act of foul play, the panel have the power to apply further sanctions.

In a statement, the FA said they will support James throughout the disciplinary process and will be putting forward representation on her behalf.

“Lauren is really sorry for her actions which led to the red card and is full of remorse,” the statement said. “It is wholly out of character for her.”

Women’s World Cup LIVE: James apologises for red card

06:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Lauren James has promised to “learn” from her sending off at the Women’s World Cup - as the England star apologised to Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie for stamping on her back during the last-16 match.

James was shown a straight red card after leaving her studs on Alozie’s back when the defender was on the ground, with the 21-year-old having grown frustrated as Nigeria marked her out of the game.

The forward will be suspended for at least the quarter-finals, with England facing Colombia on Saturday after defeating Nigeria on penalties, but a Fifa disciplinary panel could decide that the act merits further punishment.

Alozie had tweeted “all respect to Lauren James” earlier on Tuesday after appearing to forgive the England player for the incident, adding “we are playing on the world’s stage, this game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments”.

James replied to Alozie’s post and said: “All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened. Also, for our England fans and my team-mates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.”

Lauren James apologises after World Cup red card

Women’s World Cup: How many games will James miss?

05:29 , Jamie Braidwood

England are through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup – but they will be without Lauren James when they play Colombia in the last eight.

James was sent off for stamping on the back of Nigeria player Michelle Alozie during the Lionesses’ last-16 tie.

The 21-year-old, who has been England’s player of the tournament, was initially shown a yellow card by the referee, but VAR recommended a review and the yellow card was upgraded to red after the act of petulance.

After receiving a red card, James is automatically suspended for England’s next match, however her punishment will be reviewed by a Fifa disciplinary panel.

If the forward is deemed to have committed a serious act of foul play, the panel have the power to apply further sanctions.

How many games will Lauren James miss at Women’s World Cup after red card?

Women’s World Cup: What is England’s path to the final?

05:09 , Jamie Braidwood

7 August: Last 16

England 0-0 Nigeria - England win 4-2 on penalties

12 August: Quarter-final

England vs Colombia (11:30, Sydney) - Live on ITV 1

16 August: Semi-final

(England vs Colombia) vs (Australia vs France) (11:00, Sydney)

20 August: Final

(England vs Colombia / Australia vs France) vs (Spain vs Netherlands / Japan vs Sweden) 11:00, Sydney)

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Who and when do England play next?

04:29 , Jamie Braidwood

England will play Colombia in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after the South American side defeated Jamaica 1-0 to set up a meeting with the Lionesses in Sydney on Saturday.

Catalina Usme’s composed second-half finish was enough to send Colombia through to their first ever Women’s World Cup quarter-final, with Jamaica unable to respond after conceding their first goal of the tournament.

Led by 18-year-old star forward Linda Caicedo and backed by a loud and passionate travelling support, Colombia caused a major shock in the group stages to stun two-time champions Germany and top Group H.

England survived a major scare to defeat Nigeria on penalties on Monday after having to play with 10 players in extra time following Lauren James’ red card. Sarina Wiegman must now wait to discover the extent of her star forward’s suspension, which is set to be decided by a disciplinary panel.

On the other side of the draw, France and Morocco play in the final last-16 tie later today, with a place against Australia up for grabs after the co-hosts comfortably defeated Denmark.

Who and when do England play next? Route to the World Cup final

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Result and quarter-final fixtures

04:07 , Jamie Braidwood

Saturday 5 August

Match 49: Switzerland 1-5 Spain

Match 50: Japan 3-1 Norway

Sunday 6 August

Match 51: Netherlands 2-0 South Africa

Match 52: Sweden 0-0 United States - Sweden win 5-4 on penalties

Monday 7 August

Match 54: England 0-0 Nigeria - England win 4-2 on penalties

Match 53: Australia 2-0 Denmark

Tuesday 8 August

Match 56: Colombia 1-0 Jamaica (09:00, Melbourne) - ITV 1

Match 55: France 4-0 Morocco (12:00, Adelaide) - BBC One

Friday 11 August

QF1: Spain vs Netherlands (02:00, Wellington) - BBC One

QF2: Japan vs Sweden (08:30, Auckland) - BBC One

Saturday 12 August

QF3: Australia vs France (08:00, Brisbane) - ITV 1

QF4: England vs Colombia (11:30, Sydney) - ITV 1