Zelem trusts England to avoid being latest World Cup upset

SYDNEY : England just need to stick to their game plan to avoid being the latest top-ranked casualty in a Women's World Cup full of stunning upsets, midfielder Katie Zelem said as the Lionesses prepares to face Nigeria in the last 16 on Monday in Brisbane.

Some of the biggest shocks so far have been Canada and two-time champions Germany crashing out in the group stage, with lower-ranked teams surprising the game's heavyweights.

"We know that every opposition we come up against have worked so hard to be there and deserve a place," Zelem told reporters on Saturday when asked what England can do to avoid being on the end of an upset.

"It's been about executing our game plan."

Nigeria, who are playing in their ninth World Cup, played above their No. 40 ranking with a win and two draws to finish second in Group B.

The fourth-ranked Lionesses won all of their games by a combined score of 8-1 to top Group D.

"It's the first World Cup where the teams have been expanded (from 24 to 32) and I think it shows it was the right decision," Zelem said. "There really is that quality in the lower-ranked sides. Every nation has worked so hard and it's really showing."

Zelem made her World Cup debut in England's 6-1 rout of China on Tuesday, as a replacement for injured midfielder Keira Walsh - not how she would ideally have had her moment in the spotlight.

"You never want to be playing because of someone else's misfortune," Zelem said.

"Before the game it was a mixture of excitement and nerves. I couldn't wait to get going," added the Manchester United captain. "We forget that we're here because we perform well for our club every single week. Really proud for myself and my family that we had that moment."

Walsh injured her knee in England's 1-0