Lionesses star Lauren James sent off for ‘Beckham-esque’ stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie but England hold on to win

Lionesses star Lauren James was given a straight red card for a stamp on Nigeria star Michelle Alozie.

The Chelsea forward has been England’s star at this summer’s World Cup, but let her frustrations get the better of her in Brisbane as the game edged towards extra time at 0-0.

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James was caught out for stamping on her opponentCredit: GETTY

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And was dismissed after a VAR reviewCredit: Getty

Michelle Alozie had gone down after a clash with James and, with the Nigeria star sprawled out on the floor, James planted her stud onto her opponent’s back as she got up from their coming together.

The 21-year-old was originally given a yellow card for the move, but after being called to the monitor by VAR, the referee changed her mind and sent James off.

It meant England faced extra time with just ten players, and many likened it to David Beckham’s red card for stamping on Diego Simeone in 1998 as England lost to Argentina.

“The Lionesses down to 10 as Lauren James has a Beckhamesque moment of madness,” England legend Gary Lineker tweeted, referencing the 1998 clash.

talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers described James’ stamp as ‘ridiculous and reckless’.

“It’s just inexperience showing there,” former Tottenham Women’s defender Jenna Schillaci said while commentating for talkSPORT 2.

“You can only explain it as a moment of madness. She will learn from this, but it will be a real painful lesson.”

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James went from hero to zero against NigeriaCredit: Getty

Meanwhile, former talkSPORT Breakfast host Laura Woods urged caution against an overreaction from supporters.

In 1998, Beckham faced a furious backlash and some even burned an effigy of the Manchester United star.

James had been impressing the football world for her displays at the World Cup this summer, scoring three goals and providing three assists in the group stage.

In the end, England survived extra-time to win 4-2 on penalties to reach Saturday’s quarter-final, with Chloe Kelly smashing the decisive spot kick home.

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James had been incredible in the group stage, and Wiegman says she will learn a lot from today’s errorCredit: Getty

James will of course miss England’s next match as she serves what is a currently a one-game ban.

But following the victory, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman told talkSPORT James didn’t want to harm anyone and that the young star will learn from the situation.

“She’s young. This is just a split second and she doesn’t want to harm anyone,” she told talkSPORT. “It’s later on in the game, so you get a little bit tired too.

“It’s such an intense and emotional game that in a split second where you just don’t control your emotions then things happen.

“Of course she didn’t want to do that, but before she’d even realised it had happened. Very unfortunate. She will absolutely learn from it.”