England vs Norway: Lionesses triumph to reach Women’s World Cup semi-finals
Phil Neville’s England took on Norway in the last eight in Le Havre
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England are into the Women's World Cup semi-finals after a hugely impressive win over Norway in Le Havre.
Goals from Jill Scott, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze were enough to secure the Lionesses safe passage into the final four and a match up with either hosts France or holders USA in Lyon on Tuesday.
Here's how it played out:
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Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of England vs Norway in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.
The Lionesses have enjoyed a perfect run so far in France with wins over Scotland, Argentina and Japan seeing them comfortably top Group D.
An ill-tempered clash with Cameroon followed in the last-16 with tonight's opponents Norway now between them and the last four.
The Scandinavians emerged from a tense game with Australia victorious on penalty kicks on Saturday evening to earn their place here and they certainly promise to the biggest test yet of Phil Neville's side's title-winning credentials.
We'll have all the latest throughout the evening for you right here.
The news from the England camp in the run up isn't the best.
First-choice centre-back pairing, Steph Houghton and Millie Bright, are both doubtful for tonight's quarter-final after a virus hit the camp.
Captain Houghton’s fitness was always in question after she was hurt in a challenge by Cameroon’s Alexandra Takounda during the final stages of Sunday’s ill-tempered last-16 win.
But her defensive partner Bright is suffering from an illness, which head coach Phil Neville said has also affected other members of England’s travelling party.
“Both major doubts,” Neville revealed. “Steph because of the tackle. We’re hoping she takes part in the training today, that’s the key for Steph.
“Millie has a virus that’s going through the camp. She’s more of a doubt. It’s a simple virus. Sickness, I suppose. She’s picked it up in the last couple of days. She’s in her room, recovering at this moment in time."
Fifa is investigating Cameroon's behaviour during their 3-0 defeat to England on Sunday as a priority, with the intention of concluding the matter as swiftly as possible.
World football's governing body confirmed on Monday that it was "looking into" the scenes in Valenciennes, including Cameroon's angry protests at two correct VAR decisions that went against them.
Cameroon twice delayed the restart of play and appeared close to walking off the pitch in protest at the Stade de Hainault. Alain Djeumfa, their head coach, later described the officiating as a "miscarriage of justice".
Fifa is expected to investigate those comments, as well as Augustine Ejangue allegedly spitting on Toni Duggan's arm and Alexandra Takounda’s late, dangerous challenge on Steph Houghton.
Authorities are understood to be compiling reports from the match officials involved and seeking observations on all aspects of Cameroon's conduct, with misconduct charges a real possibility.
You excited?
Team news will be with us within the hour as the atmosphere ramps up in Le Havre.
England goalkeeper Carly Telford is excited! She made her World Cup debut against Argentina in the group stages after waiting over a decade. Could she start in goal for England tonight?
You never know...
Tonight, the Lionesses are aiming to be the first England team to reach a third successive major tournament semi-final after reaching the last four in both the 2015 World Cup and the 2017 European Championship.
In their way are Norway.
Ranked 12th in the world, nine places below England, Norway won two out of three of their Group A matches before seeing off Australia on penalties in the round of 16.
However they are without striker Ada Hegerberg, voted the best player in the world, who has chosen not to represent her country after raising concerns over the sport's governance in her home country.
The 1995 champions have featured in all eight editions of the Women's World Cup and in the build-up to the quarter-final coach Martin Sjogren said:
"We're not scared of England.
"We have a lot of respect for the opponent, but we also have a strong team."
Emilie Bosshard Haavi is the only absentee for the Norwegians after undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus in her knee.
For England doubts over the first choice centre-back pairing of Steph Houghton (ankle) and Millie Bright (illness) aren't troubling head coach Phil Neville.
Neville said he was "relaxed" about the defenders' potential replacements, Leah Williamson and Abbie McManus, who have both already played at the World Cup.
"You guys have had an obsession with my rotation for the last 18 months... but it's for moments like this,
"We can bring in two people who know the system and they have utter belief and confidence in each other. It's a seamless transition." he said.
Team news
Phil Neville makes just one change to the side that defeated Cameroon on Sunday. Demi Stokes comes into the side at left-back replacing Alex Greenwood.
Steph Houghton and Millie Bright are both fit to start and they retain their starting places in the centre of defence with Lucy Bronze completing the back four.
Fran Kirby, Keira Walsh and Jill Scott make up the mid-field with Toni Duggan, Ellen White and Nikita Parris leading the line.
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