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England frustrates Cameroon to secure quarterfinal spot

Alex Caparros - FIFA / FIFA / Getty

England advanced to the quarterfinal stage of the Women's World Cup after winning its round-of-16 encounter against a Cameroon team that was visibly frustrated by a pair of VAR decisions that went against it.

The Lionesses secured a 3-0 victory, but the match was interrupted just before halftime when Cameroon players appeared to refuse to resume the match as they contested a decision to award England a second goal despite the assistant referee initially ruling scorer Ellen White offside.

Minutes after the break, Cameroon players were irate after another VAR review saw their apparent goal called back because of an offside violation.

However, Cameroon did manage to avoid having any players sent off despite a trio of incidents that could have resulted in red cards.

First, England forward Nikita Parris was on the receiving end of a nasty elbow. Next, Cameroon defender Augustine Ejangue appeared to spit on the arm of England's Toni Duggan, whose attempt to show the evidence was ignored by the referee.

John Walton - PA Images / PA Images / Getty

Tempers flared once again in the closing minutes when Alexandra Takounda's reckless challenge left England captain Steph Houghton writhing in pain. Houghton managed to return while the match official showed Takounda a yellow card.

Phil Neville's England side will take on Norway in the quarterfinals on June 27 in Le Havre.

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