Michelle Alozie: Nigeria Defender Recounts Ugly Moment England Star Lauren James Stepped on Her Back

• Michelle Alozie has explained her clash with Lauren James
• England star Lauren James was sent off for stepping on Alozie
• England eliminated Nigeria from the FIFA Women's World Cup

Super Falcons defender, Michelle Alozie, has opened up on her famous encounter with England and Chelsea star Lauren James at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The US-born Nigerian had James sent off after the English forward stepped on her back after pushing her to the ground.

Alozie who was lying down helpless did not react to the situation while on the pitch as the referee quickly went into her pocket to hand James a red card.

Months after the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Alozie disclosed that she did not react because she wanted to avoid missing the next game had Nigeria progressed.

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"So many people were like Michelle why didn't you react but I think there were like two emotions. There was one where she pushed off me and I was like you didn't do that, so I was like kind of waiting for that to be done but then when she stepped on me I was like, what?" she said on The Women's Game podcast.

"I was literally confused. There was VAR and that was what was going through my head. You are getting sent off. You just stepped on me for no reason. What just happened? Why are you doing this?

"I can't get another yellow card because if we go on I can't play the next game so I was like whatever. That just happened."

Despite James' dismissal, England went on to beat the record African champions on penalties and advanced to the quarter-final, as reported by the BBC.

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Alozie shares her Nigeria journey

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Super Falcons star, Michelle Alozie disclosed how she became a player of the female national team of Nigeria.

The American-born Nigerian has become a fan favourite following her performances for the Super Falcons at the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games qualifiers.

Alozie impressed in the games against South Africa as the African giants clinched their place at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.