ELLEN WHITE: Chloe Kelly’s 69mph to beat Nigeria will kickstart her World Cup… the Man City star will show Sarina Wiegman why she’s the woman for the big occasion
- Chloe Kelly has already proven she is the woman for the big occasion for England
- Kelly scored the winning penalty for the Lionesses in shootout victory over Nigeria
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It wasn’t a pretty game against Nigeria at times, but one thing this England group can never be faulted is resilience.
They showed that immensely by holding on during normal and extra time after Lauren James was sent off and then keeping their spirits up to continue on penalties.
It was a belting penalty to beat Chloe Kelly. She was always one of the side’s cleanest attackers and I’m not surprised she had the confidence to shoot England’s decisive penalty in such an emphatic manner.
She has proven time and time again that she is the woman for the big occasion and I think this could be the moment when her World Cup comes to life.
She started on the bench against Nigeria and has shown flashes of what she is capable of in the group matches. But with that penalty under her belt, I think we’ll see Chloe take her game to a new level.
Chloe Kelly has proven time and time again that she is the woman for the biggest events in England
Kelly hit a fierce 69mph penalty to seal England’s passage to the World Cup quarter-finals
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The Manchester City striker brings something different to Sarina Wiegman’s side in attack. When Chloe is at her best, she gets the ball off her feet and whips crosses into dangerous areas, but it’s her directness that makes her an opposition full-back’s nightmare.
There have been concerns over who will provide the spark now that Lauren is suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final and semi-final.
But Chloe is definitely capable of taking on that mantle and she should have all the confidence in the world to do so after her exploits.
Her wide area quality could help create a few more clear cut chances for Alessia Russo.