England set up a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway after beating Cameroon 3-0 in Valenciennes.
But the clash will be remembered for its ill-tempered nature, a spitting incident and VAR decisions that incensed the Cameroon players. Here are some of the crunch moments.
Elbow on Nikita Parris
Alain Djeumfa’s side showed their physicality early on as England’s Lucy Bronze was shoved over by Raissa Feudjio.
But the first major flashpoint came when Nikita Parris received an elbow in the face from Yvonne Leuko, who was fortunate only to be yellow-carded.
Spitting incident
Around ten minutes after the elbowing incident, Toni Duggan was spat on by Augustine Ejangue.
The incident only drew a booking, with fans disappointed twice already for the lack of VAR.
England’s first goal
It was in unusual circumstances that England then grabbed the lead in the 14th minute.
Cameroon were penalised for a back pass, with goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom having picked the ball up when Augustine Ejangue intercepted Ellen White’s cross.
The free-kick that followed saw Toni Duggan roll the ball back from the edge of the six-yard box to Steph Houghton and the skipper fired past the entire Cameroon team and in.
England’s second goal
White slotted the ball in having been played in by Bronze, but the flag went up for offside. After the matter went to a VAR review, the score was confirmed as 2-0.
Replays showed White to have been clearly onside, but there was a livid reaction to the decision from Cameroon’s players, who were adamant there had been an error and pointed to the big screen.
It seemed possible they might not continue, before the game did finally get back under way and the whistle went for half-time.
Cameron disallowed goal
Cameroon’s anger then increased shortly after the interval when Ajara Nchout fired the ball into England’s net.
Just a few minutes into the second half when England lost possession, Nchout slammed the ball in from Enganamouit’s cut-back and the initial decision to give the goal was overturned via VAR for a marginal offside.
Again there was a lengthy pause to the game as Cameroon appeared unwilling to accept the decision.
Nchout had tears in her eyes as she was comforted by her team-mates and Djeumfa.
More VAR drama
Referee Qin Liang made another VAR check following a Ysis Sonkeng challenge on Fran Kirby, with no penalty being given.
The referee then reviewed footage again late on for a possible red card when Houghton was the victim of an awful challenge by Takounda, the final outcome being a yellow card.
“It didn’t feel like football”
England boss Phil Neville was fiercely critical of Cameroon’s players after the match.
He told BBC Sport: “It didn’t feel like football, to be honest. I know we get these briefs about coming on TV and saying it was a good win – and it was a good win and we passed the ball well and were ruthless in attack and are ready to play in a quarter final – but I’ve got to say that wasn’t football for me.
“It wasn’t a World Cup game in terms of the behaviour that I want to see from footballers. This is going out worldwide and I can’t stand here and say that I particularly enjoyed it or my players enjoyed it. At half-time they were confused about what was going on, what they should do, but they kept their concentration brilliantly.
“I can’t stand here and say that is fantastic that we are into the quarter-finals of a World Cup, because this is going out all over the world and young girls are seeing this and can be influenced by it, there’s a bigger picture here.”
Yet Cameroon’s coach Djeumfa insisted every decision against his side was wrong and that they suffered a “miscarriage of justice.”