Lauren James of England was sent off during the Lionesses’ Women’s World Cup last-16 match against Nigeria for stamping on an opponent’s back.
England beat Nigeria on penalties after surviving extra time with 10 players to reach the quarter-finals, but James’ red card jeopardised their World Cup ambitions.
After trampling on the back of Nigerian player Michelle Alozie in the 86th minute, the 21-year-old was issued a straight red card for violent behaviour.
The referee initially showed James a yellow card, but VAR urged a review, and the yellow card was elevated to red following the act of petulance.
Who is Lauren James?
Lauren James is a talented and highly regarded English professional footballer who has been making waves in the women’s football scene. Born on May 29, 2001, in Lewisham, London, England, she has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the most exciting prospects in the sport.
Lauren James comes from a footballing family. Her brother, Reece James, is also a professional footballer and plays as a right-back for Chelsea FC and the England national team. Their father, Nigel James, was a former professional footballer as well, having played for various clubs in England during his career.
At a young age, it was evident that Lauren had exceptional footballing abilities. She began playing football with boys’ teams, showcasing her skill and determination on the pitch. Her talent and potential quickly caught the attention of scouts, and at the age of 14, she joined the Arsenal Women’s team academy.
During her time at Arsenal, Lauren’s development as a player accelerated. She honed her technical skills, became more tactically aware, and scored goals with ease. In 2016, at just 15 years old, she made her debut for Arsenal’s first team in a Continental Tyres Cup match against London Bees.
In 2018, Lauren James made a significant move to Manchester United Women’s team. The move marked her transition to a more senior level of football, and she continued to impress with her performances. She played an instrumental role in helping Manchester United secure promotion to the Women’s Super League in the 2018-2019 season.
In August 2020, Lauren made another high-profile transfer, signing with Chelsea FC Women. The move to Chelsea, one of the top clubs in women’s football, was a testament to her growing reputation in the sport. With Chelsea, she continued to excel, showcasing her versatility as an attacking player and becoming a vital part of the team’s success.
In addition to her club success, Lauren James has also been part of England’s youth national teams. Her performances at the youth level had drawn attention to her potential to finally represent the senior England women’s national team.
