England's Lauren James was sent off late in the second half of her side's World Cup last-16 game against Nigeria for stamping on an opponent.
James was initially shown a yellow card for the stamp on Michelle Alozie but following a VAR review, referee Melissa Borjas upgraded the punishment to a red card for violent conduct.
The game, a scoreless draw when James was sent off, went to extra-time and a penalty shootout which England won 4-2.
"She was frustrated throughout the game," former England international Ellen White said on the BBC's coverage of the game.
"She wasn't really in the game as much as she would have liked. She's clearly stood on the Nigerian player. There was no need for it, was there?"
The #WomensWorldCup last-16 tie between England and Nigeria has gone to extra-time after finishing 0-0 in normal time. England were reduced to 10 players when Lauren James was sent off with 87 minutes gone after a review of a stamp on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie #AFPSports pic.twitter.com/sY9DcM6doY
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 7, 2023
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said James's red card came down to "decision fatigue".
"The two games before this probably took its toll for energy," he added.
"We could see in the game that she was start to make some bad decisions on and off the ball. The lack of subs in the second half surprised me from England. The momentum was not going in England's way. They could have been more proactive with the subs."
Alex Scott, another former England international, said Sarina Wiegman's side were "lucky" to have not lost the game to Nigeria in normal time.
🟥 RED CARD - VAR works against England again, but there can be no complaints from Lauren James after a petulant stamp
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📱Follow https://t.co/0sEp7gozdG #wwc2023 #rtesoccer #ENGNIG pic.twitter.com/3D1SyF32T0— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 7, 2023
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