Lauren James denied wonder goal against China at the Women’s World Cup… as England fans slam controversial offside decision

Lauren James denied wonder goal against China at the Women’s World Cup… as England fans slam controversial offside decision

By Michael Pavitt For Mailonline

Updated: 13:33 BST, 1 August 2023

England fans have slammed the controversial decision to rule out Lauren James’s stunning goal against China at the Women’s World Cup.

James had already struck once to put the Lionesses 3-0 up in their final Group D match.

The England forward thought she had added a fourth by curling a left foot effort into the net from the edge of the box.

England’s celebrations were halted after referee Casey Reibelt was alerted to a potential offside in the build-up by the VAR officials.

Lucy Bronze was eventually adjudged to have come back from an offside position, before the England defender had teed up James for the effort.

Lauren James appeared to have given England a 4-0 lead with a superb curling effort

The goal was ruled out following a VAR review with Lucy Bronze adjudged to have been offside

England fans criticised the decision on social media, insisting that while Bronze was initially in an offside, a new phase of play should have begun after the ball had struck a China defender.

‘VAR has just robbed us of that Lauren James scream for no discernible reason,’ one fan wrote. ‘How is Lucy Bronze possible “interfering with play” when in the phase of play she’s ten yards from the header and the ball only came to her after she came back onside.’

 ‘Lauren James robbed of that absolute belter of a goal by one of the worst VAR offside calls i’ve ever seen,’ another said.

‘What am I seeing with that offside decision for Lauren James? I’m baffled,’ a third said.

‘How is that an offside, she is clearly just walking with no intent to get to the ball in the first phase of play,’ claimed another. Then in the second phase she was clearly on. Such a beautiful goal chopped off with a silly decision.’

England supporters criticised the decision to rule out James’s second goal on social media

Despite the disallowed goal, the Lionesses held a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time.

James had scored England’s third, adding to goals from Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp.

Wang Shuang reduced the deficit for China in the second half with a penalty.

England supporters were left rueing the prospect of a stunning James hat-trick, after the forward scored a superb left foot volley to give the Lionesses a 4-1 advantage. 

England would advance to the knock-out stages should they earn at least a point against China.

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