European champion England top Nigeria on penalties to reach Women's World Cup quarterfinals

England won without star Lauren James, who was ejected with a red card, to beat Nigeria on penalty kicks Monday and advance to the quarterfinals at the Women's World Cup.

The round of 16 match ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time, giving Nigeria a chance to win a knockout match at the Women's World Cup for the first time in nine trips to the global tournament.

But European champion England won the shootout 4-2 when substitute forward Chloe Kelly converted the last kick.

Then with five minutes remaining in regulation, England star forward James was ejected after a VAR review on her violent tackle of a Nigeria defender.

She initially was given a yellow card by referee Melissa Borjas after falling on top of Michelle Alozie and stepping on her with her studs as James climbed off Alozie. The crowd groaned as slow-motion replays on the stadium screens showed the play, and, after a delay of several minutes, the yellow card was replaced with a red card.

British media instantly reacted by comparing it with David Beckham's red card for kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup in France. The red card means James will miss at least one game, and possibly the rest of the tournament.

Lauren James is sent off after stamping on Michelle Alozie