Lucy Bronze’s piledriver sizzled past Ingrid Hjelmseth’s fingertips in the 76th minute for the winner. Fifteen minutes earlier, England had drawn level with Steph Houghton’s header off a corner after falling behind Solveig Gulbrandsen’s goal also off a corner. This was the Lionesses’s first knockout win in six World Cups. And it came thanks also due to Karen Bardsley’s outstanding performance between the sticks.

England meet hosts Canada in the quarterfinals.