England given royal support for last-16 Women’s World Cup clash

Prince William and Gareth Southgate have each sent good luck video messages to the England women’s squad for their last-16 clash against Cameroon in Valenciennes on Sunday.

As England enter the knockout stage buoyed by three wins from three matches in France, Lionesses boss Phil Neville has chosen to restrict penalty shootout preparations to just a few kicks.

England have not had specific spot-kick sessions, with Neville leaving players to practise after training if they wish. Nor has the England boss produced a list of five preferred kickers or a ‘league table’ of penalty-takers as Southgate had at the men’s World Cup in Russia last summer. Instead, Neville has confidence in whoever is on the pitch if the tie goes to penalties.

Gareth Southgate also rallied behind the Lionesses, sending his own video message

Karen Bardsley, expected to be England’s keeper on Sunday, will have to ensure she keeps at least one foot on the line when facing a penalty as VAR will be used to check for any encroachment. 

But the International Football Association Board on Friday told referees not to give goalkeepers yellow cards for leaving their line during shootouts, arguing it would ‘unfairly distort’ the process. A keeper who transgresses during the match will, however, still be booked.

Former referee Pierluigi Collina said: ‘I would like to remind everyone that, for a long time, the goalkeepers had to keep both feet on the goal line until a penalty kick was taken. It became very difficult for a keeper to stop a penalty and also for referees to enforce what the law required.’

FIFA expect ‘between 15,200 and 18,100’ fans at the 24,926-capacity Stade du Hainaut on Sunday. The tournament’s average attendance so far is 18,498, the second lowest of any Women’s World Cup.

Phil Neville has chosen to restrict penalty shootout preparations to just a few kicks