VALENCIENNES: Hosts France went through to the quarter-finals of the women’s World Cup on Sunday as Amandine Henry’s extra-time strike secured a tense victory over Brazil to see them progress alongside England, who defeated Cameroon in a bad-tempered affair.

France edged out Brazil 2-1 after extra time in their last-16 clash in Le Havre thanks to captain Henry, who turned in Amel Majri’s free-kick in the 106th minute at the Stade Oceane.France had been denied a first-half opener when Valerie Gauvin’s headed effort was disallowed following a VAR review for a foul on Brazil goalkeeper Barbara, but Gauvin converted Kadidiatou Diani’s assist to give the hosts the lead seven minutes into the second half.

However, Brazil hit back and a Cristiane header was turned onto the bar before Thaisa made it 1-1 just past the hour mark, her strike eventually being given having originally been disallowed for an offside against Debinha.

Into extra time they went, and Lyon star Henry had the last word to spark scenes of joy in the crowd of almost 24,000.

The French could yet end up facing England in the last four, with Phil Neville’s team easing through to the quarter-finals thanks to a 3-0 win over Cameroon in Valenciennes.

Goals from captain Steph Houghton, Ellen White — her fourth of the tournament — and Alex Greenwood at the Stade du Hainaut took England through to the next round, where they will play Norway.

However, the last-16 tie will be best remembered for the Cameroon players’ furious response to several refereeing decisions, which included them apparently threatening to walk off the pitch at one point.

Houghton’s strike came from an indirect free-kick awarded in the box when goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom picked up what was adjudged to have been a backpass.

Their anger reached boiling point when White’s goal to make it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time was initially disallowed for offside before being awarded after Chinese referee Qin Liang consulted with the Video Assistant Referee.

It was the correct decision, but their players surrounded the referee, pointing to the big screen replays of the goal and seemingly threatening to walk off.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2019