England seal quarter spot

  • Thursday, 27 November, 2008
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England are in the last eight of the World Cup after a late Toni Duggan goal against New Zealand.

England 1-1 New Zealand
FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup
Group A
La Florida, Santiago, Chile
10pm (GMT), Wednesday 26 November
Click here for tournament details 

Toni Duggan's last-gasp strike rescued England and sent them into the Quarter-Finals of the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Chile.

After victory over the hosts in their opening game was followed by a draw with Nigeria, England knew a draw against a side who had already conceded six goals in their two matches would see them through.

However, Sarah McLaughlin didn't read the script and gave New Zealand a 27th-minute lead, meaning Mo Marley's side needed a goal.

After New Zealand captain Katie Hoyle was sent off after a second bookable offence on 70 minutes, England threw everything at their opponents as they desperately looked for the much-needed leveller that would see them through to the Quarter-Finals.

Natasha Dowie's header from Claire Rafferty's deep corner looped over Charlotte Wood, the New Zealand 'keeper, but struck the bar. Duggan's rebound was also blocked, this time by Bridgette Armstrong's face.

With seven minutes left, The Three Lions thought they had been awarded a penalty when Wood clattered into Duggan after a long ball forward. But in the confusion, as Wood received treatment, the referee awarded a free-kick to the New Zealanders.

Remi Allen also came close, combining well with Duggan, but after cutting inside the last defender 16 yards out, she fired straight at Wood.

When five minutes of injury time was signalled, England were given fresh hope as the one-way traffic continued.

Subsitute Rachel Williams, and then Duggan, each had efforts from outside the area, but they both drifted wide of the post.

Then, with just seconds left of the match, Duggan stood tall taking hold of her team's destiny.

On the edge of the box, she held off a defender, and Williams, to open up the space and drill into the top corner of the net, via the post to leave Wood stranded and save England.

They now face USA in the last eight.

England: Rebecca Spencer, Stephanie Houghton, Claire Rafferty, Danielle Buet, Fern Whelan (c) (Jade Moore, 89), Toni Duggan (Rebecca Hall, 90), Remi Allen, Natasha Dowie, Jessica Clarke, Chelsea Weston, Brooke Chaplen (Rachel Williams, 56).

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