England vs Cameroon: Lionesses secure safe passage to quarter-finals

Phil Neville’s England are into the last eight in France

Women's World Cup: England train ahead of last-16 match

England took on Cameroon in the Women's World Cup last 16 on Sunday afternoon.

Phil Neville's side are into the quarter-finals after an ill-tempered game where VAR took centre stage in Valenciennes. Steph Houghton opened the scoring, Ellen White added a second after a VAR review before Cameroon thought they had one back only for the technology to rule it out sparking chaos. Alex Greenwood made it three to seal their spot in the last eight.

A meeting with Norway now awaits on Thursday after the Scandinavians emerged from a tense game with Australia victorious on penalty kicks on Saturday evening.

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Key Points

• Steph Houghton gives England lead from indirect free-kick
• Ellen White doubles advantage after VAR check
• Cameroon protest against decision sparking long delay
• Ajara Nchout pulls one back but it's ruled out for offside by VAR
• Alex Greenwood adds third from well worked corner

[23 June 2019 14:03 · Ben Burrows]

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of England vs Cameroon in the Women's World Cup last-16.

Phil Neville's side have won a perfect three out of three so far in France with top spot in Group D wrapped up with victories over Scotland, Argentina and then Japan.

Next up it's Cameroon who managed to lose two of their group games before the last-gasp win over New Zealand earned their place here.

A meeting with Norway awaits in the last eight awaits after the Scandinavians emerged from a tense game with Australia victorious on penalty kicks.

We'll have all the latest from Valenciennes right here so don't touch that dial.

[23 June 2019 14:59 · Ben Burrows]

Phil Neville says his England players have "no fear" about the prospect of a shoot-out tonight.

Penalty shoot-outs were, of course, a major problem for England's men's side for so long, with them losing six out of seven at major tournaments before triumphing against Colombia at last summer's World Cup and then in the Nations League against Switzerland earlier this month.

The women's team were beaten on penalties in the 1984 European Championships final and in the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals.

Neville says his players have "loved" the spot-kick practice they have been doing in training, and he said: "There is a real feelgood factor about it. There is no fear."

He added: "If, when - hopefully not - it happens, we'll win."

[23 June 2019 15:13 · Ben Burrows]

England have arrived at the Stade du Hainaut and are inspecting the pitch.

Conditions are very warm over in France which should help produce some quality if a little tiring football this afternoon.

We're expecting team news any minute now and we'll have it for you right here as soon as we get it.

[23 June 2019 15:26 · Ben Burrows]

Here's the England team and it's as expected.

Nikita Parris returns after missing out against Japan with Georgia Stanway making way with Toni Duggan also getting the nod over Beth Mead.

Ellen White is again preferred up front after two goals last time out.

Full team: Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton, Bright, Greenwood, Parris, Walsh, Scott, Duggan, Kirby, White

[23 June 2019 15:34 · Ben Burrows]

So that's three changes for England.

As well as Parris coming back in playmaker Fran Kirby has been restored too, coming in for Rachel Daly, while Alex Greenwood replaces Demi Stokes at left-back.

Cameroon name the same XI that started thei 2-1 win against New Zealand.

[23 June 2019 15:37 · Kieran Jackson]

With less than an hour to go before kick-off, have a read of our man in Valenciennes Mark Critchley's thoughts on today's last-16 clash, and the questions facing Phil Neville as the knockout stage begins:  

[23 June 2019 15:42 · Kieran Jackson]

Here is England's starting XI and squad in full: 

[23 June 2019 15:51 · Kieran Jackson]

Meanwhile, here's Cameroon's starting XI, which is unchanged from the side who beat New Zealand 2-1 in their final group game: 

Full team: Ndom, Leuko, Ejangue, Johnson, Awona, Abam, Yango, Feudjio, Njoya Ajara, Enganamouit, Aboudi Onguene 

[23 June 2019 15:58 · Kieran Jackson]

Here's the scene at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes - it's a beautiful day in northern France. 

[23 June 2019 16:08 · Kieran Jackson]

The Independent's World Cup columnist Izzy Christiansen has had her say on this afternoon's match, and the tournament as a whole: