OTTAWA—England earned the right to face Canada in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals with a gritty come-from-behind 2–1 win over Norway on Monday. England manager Mark Sampson sees the two squads as being similar in some respects and both are responding to the weight of expectations with character and heart.
In the oppressive heat at Lansdowne Stadium—play stopped for a water break in the first half—English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley stood tall and bailed out her defense when needed, much as her Canadian counterpart Erin McLeod did in Vancouver on Sunday—both were awarded player of the match in their country’s respective Round of 16 wins.
“I think it comes down to moments. Fortunately for me, things just seem to slow down and I just seem to be in the right frame of mind to make myself as big as possible,” Bardsley said.
England’s right back Lucy Bronze scored a goal worthy of any game-winner with a powerful strike from near the top-right corner of the 18-yard box.
Like Canada against Switzerland, England was second best in the first half, but Sampson and his staff made the right adjustments and they eventually paid off for the “Three Lionesses.”
