'She's done a Beckham!' - Twitter reacts to Lauren James' RED CARD stamp

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 7 Aug 2023 12:22 BST
• 6 min read

Lauren James has faced heavy criticism online after her stamp on Michelle Alozie saw her given a straight red card by referee Melissa Borjas in England’s Women’s World Cup last-16 win over Nigeria.

The Chelsea Women forward netted three goals in the group stage and was showered in praise for her performance against China in particular - including from her brother’s former team-mate Michy Batshuayi - but a moment of madness saw her stamp on Alozie in the dying embers of the last-16 clash.

James had been closely marked throughout the game, with Nigeria not allowing her the space she had thrived in during the group stages of the Women’s World Cup.

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With the score at 0-0 and Nigeria on top, James lashed out on Alozie, with a stamp on her lower back as she got up from a challenge.

She was originally given a yellow card by Borjas, but VAR intervened and informed the referee to take a look at the monitor. The decision was overturned and James was sent her marching orders, reducing England down to 10 players.

It drew comparisons to David Beckham's stamp on Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup, which derailed the Three Lions chances in the tournament and ultimately saw them lose to Argentina in the round of 16 tie on penalties.

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However, the same fate didn't befall James as Sarina Wiegman's team survived the entirety of extra-time with 10 players and triumphed in the resulting penalty shootout.

But, James faced severe backlash on Twitter after the red card incident.

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