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Alessia Russo helped England scrape through to the Women's World Cup Quarter-Final with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Nigeria on Monday.
Maidstone’s Russo played 88 minutes for the Lionesses, who had just been reduced to 10 players as Lauren James was sent off for a stamp on Michelle Alozie's back following a review by the video assistant referee after she lost possession.
Russo, 24, was replaced by Chloe Kelly who smashed in the winning kick in their 4-2 shoot-out success after a goalless draw.
Despite England’s first penalty-taker, Georgia Stanway, firing wide, Nigeria missed their next two and the European champions secured their place in the last eight where they will face Colombia or Jamaica next.
Gravesend-born midfielder Laura Coombs was an unused substitute for Sarina Wiegman’s team against Nigeria in front of a crowd of 49,461 in Brisbane.