- England got their knock-out stage campaign underway in Valenciennes, France, in the Women’s world cup
- In the 13th minute, England’s Toni Duggan was livid after Cameroon’s Augustine Ejangue spat on her shirt
- Steph Houghton gave England early lead at the Stade du Hainaut with a free-kick from inside the six-yard box
- England scored on the 14th minute after the close-range free kick was driven past the Cameroon goalkeeper
- VAR controversy kicked off with Ellen White’s goal in the 45+4th minute, with it flagged offside then overruled
- The Cameroon players were furious with the decision and wasted three minutes before restarting the match
- And Cameroon tucked one away in the 48th minute, but England were saved by VAR as the goal was offside
England’s Lionesses kicked off the knock-out stage of the Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 win against Cameroon – in a game tainted by spitting and accusations of racism against the video assistant referee.
Tempers flared after a number of decisions appeared to go against the African nation, including two match-changing offsides at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, France.
Striker Ellen White tucked away England’s second during the first half’s injury time – before it was ruled offside by Chinese referee Qin Liang, then overturned using the VAR system.
This sparked Cameroon players to furiously claim Nikita Parris, who was offside, was part of the play – despite her standing on the left side of the pitch and not touching the ball.
Steph Houghton of England scores her team’s first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Round Of 16 match between England and Cameroon at Stade du Hainaut
Steph Houghton of England scores her team’s first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Round Of 16 match between England and Cameroon at Stade du Hainaut
Steph Houghton of England celebrates with teammates Jill Scott, Ellen White and Toni Duggan after scoring the opening goal
Cameroon players were unhappy about the decision, but the technology shows White was clearly onside when she fired the ball home
But as the England players headed down the tunnel, Cameroon stars burst into tears and accuse FIFA of racism, according to the BBC’s Gabby Logan
A FIFA official talks to players of Cameroon at half time as the high-tempered match threatens to descend into chaos
Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o smiled (left) and clapped (right) after the match, as his nation’s team slumped to a 3-0 loss
Insult was added to injury after the break as Cameroon got a swift goal back in the 48th minute through Ajara Nchout, who drove home a long cross into the corner.
But the sloppy play at the back from England was saved by a close call for offside from the VAR team.
Cameroon protested again, with head coach Alain Djeumfa desperately trying to calm them down. But Nchout, who moments earlier had been celebrating, appeared inconsolable.
Ajara Nchout of Cameroon celebrates with teammate Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene after scoring a goal which is then disallowed following a VAR review
Replays showed Nchout was only the smallest of fractions offside, causing more fury on the Cameroonian bench on Sunday night
Cameroon’s forward Ajara Nchout reacts after scoring a goal that was later disallowed for offside in the second VAR decision in the game
source:dailymail