British Hero After leading the Lionesses to the World Cup quarterfinals, Chloe Kelly received praise for telling a cameraman to “f*** off” while defending Nigeria’s goalkeeper.
As England defeated Nigeria 4-2 on penalties in the round of 16, the 25-year-old Manchester City forward maintained composure to score the game-winning penalty.
It came after Lauren James was dismissed for STAMPING on an opponent’s back, and the Lionesses played the entirety of extra time with one fewer player.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, who had put on an outstanding performance in goal for the African nation, was beaten by Chloe Kelly as he stepped up to take the crucial spot kick, setting off wild celebrations.
She quickly demonstrated her “class,” though, by rushing over to the distraught Nnadozie and shoving a camera out of the way as it attempted to capture the keeper’s anguish after her side’s heartbreaking exit.
Home viewers who had earlier complained about BBC One’s coverage of the game due to a “technical issue” with the audio were not unaffected by the astounding gesture.
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They quickly praised Kelly on Twitter, with one even writing that it made her “proud to be English.”
England's Chloe Kelly deserves an honourable mention for her presence of mind, opting to console a weeping Nnadozie and asking the cameras to clear off from zooming into the GK's tears. Kelly could've spent that time celebrating her country's win.
Class. pic.twitter.com/OS7sZXefRn
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 7, 2023
Chloe Kelly and Alex Greenwood went over to console Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozi after the shootout.
Class 👏 pic.twitter.com/fWXyH65yAv
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 7, 2023
Also huge respect to Chloe Kelly for not really celebrating and going straight over to console Nnadozie, as well as telling the cameras to get lost zooming in on the Nigerians faces#ENG #NGA #ENGNGA pic.twitter.com/DV2YFhQ4SK
— Charlotte Patterson (@kirbyhazard) August 7, 2023
True ‘legend’ behaviour from Chloe Kelly. The Nigeria keeper Nnadozie is distraught after losing the shoot out and she’s telling the camera operator to get lost. #ENGNGA pic.twitter.com/boAnDaS90l
— Simon Harris – Man Behaving Dadly (THAT’S DADLY) (@simonharris_mbd) August 7, 2023
This from Chloe Kelly is class 👏🏽pic.twitter.com/4dMbIy9JkT
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) August 7, 2023
One sight that melted my heart
After the game, with Nnadozie in tears, Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton went to console her and circled her preventing the camera from recording her weak moment.
It was touching. The highest level of fair play 👏🏾❤️#fifawwc #ENGNGA pic.twitter.com/1cdCvPrYBZ
— Dr. Kelechi Anyikude (@KelechiAFC) August 7, 2023
Greenwood, Kelly and Hampson paused their celebrations to comforting Nnadozie immediately after the penalty shootout was a beautiful moment to behold. pic.twitter.com/RKB17pXvUv
— Lawrence I. Okoro ( Sir Law ) (@LawrenceOkoroPG) August 7, 2023
chloe kelly with the winning penalty but then seconds after shes running back to comfort nigerian goalkeeper, chiamaka nnadozie. so selfless and proper sportsmanship ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cRF7uDntq8
— mia (@miadlazaro) August 7, 2023
Meanwhile, the quarterfinal matchup between Jamaica and Colombia is tomorrow at 9 AM BST.
During the tense Women’s World Cup semifinal win for the Lionesses on penalties, Lauren James was sent off for standing on the back of a Nigerian player.
When James and Michelle Alozie got into a fight in the 87th minute, the referee initially gave her a yellow card; however, after VAR got involved, the card was upgraded.
Despite England winning on penalties after a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes, the England star will automatically receive a one-game suspension that could be increased to three games. This means that her tournament may be over.
