A wonder strike from Lucy Bronze ensured England progressed to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup, after coming from behind to beat Norway.
Solveig Gulbrandsen opened the scoring early in the first half, and ultimately gave her nation a deserved lead after an impressive first half, her flicked effort from a corner beating Karen Bardsley at the near post in front of over 18,000 spectators.
However, Steph Houghton needed just seven minutes to continue her impressive form at the tournament, also heading home a corner to level the scores, before Bronze unleashed a screamer into the top corner to set up a quarter final encounter with hosts Canada.
The victory became the first time the Three Lionesses have won a knockout match in any World Cup competition.
Bronze’s strike from outside the penalty box left supporters speechless and naturally did the rounds on social media. But who is the versatile defender lighting up the stage in Canada this year?
Lucy Bronze
Despite predominantly featuring as a right-back, Bronze has shown her ability in a range of positions across the defensive and midfield lines and the half-English, half-Portuguese star has represented her home nation from Under-17 level right through to the senior team.
Bronze was part of the England squad for Euro 2013 before being included in the side for this year’s World Cup. She currently plays her club football with Manchester City, but previously lifted the FA Women’s Super League twice with Liverpool, as well as the Northern Premier League with Sunderland. Her two year spell with Everton produced little silverware, but her transfer across Merseyside soon proved worthwhile as she collected the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2014.
A year in the United States in the youth ranks of North Carolina Tar Heels placed her in good stead to make the break into senior team football, and her recent stunner against the Norwegians became her third international goal in just 20 appearances. After making her debut against Japan in 2013, Bronze has gone on to win 14 games with England, losing only two.
The 23-year-old is the fourth youngest in the England international camp, but is not letting that affect her prospects as a regular in Mark Sampson’s set-up. The defender has started three out of four games for Sampson so far in the tournament, winning 80% of her tackles and scoring against Norway with her first effort on goal in the competition.
On her return from Canada she will gear up for the upcoming FA Women’s Cup final in August, having featured four times for City prior to the international break.
