Women's World Cup 2019: Lionesses face Cameroon challenge in last-16

The 2015 bronze medallist will face the African contingent for the first time in a World Cup clash.

England has maintained a 100 percent win record in the World Cup so far.

Phil Neville's Lionesses will be up against Cameroon in the third match of the knockouts of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 on Sunday, at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes.

It will be the first competitive meeting between England and Cameroon, with the Lionesses having won their only previous World Cup match versus an African opposition, beating Nigeria 3-2 in 1995.

England comes into the knockouts with a 100 percent win record, having topped Group D, whereas Cameroon qualified as one of the four best third-place finishers.

England, which has conceded just one goal in its last three matches, has seen 30-year-old striker Ellen White shine for the team. White netted three goals, with two of her strikes coming against Japan in the last match. High on confidence, White will pose a threat to the Cameroon team.

On the other hand, last-gasp Cameroon will depend on Ajara Nchout, who was pivotal to its progress to the last-16, thanks to her goal at death in the do-or-die match against New Zealand.

Facing England - who is considered one of the title favourites- will be an uphill task for Cameroon, who has never progressed beyond the round of 16. However, being Africa's only representative, much will be expected from the 'Indomitable Lionesses'.

The winner of the match will face Norway on 27 June in Le Havre.

Road to round of 16:

ENGLAND

The Lionesses were pitted against Scotland in the campaign opener, which saw Lyon's new signing Nikita Parris, and Ellen White star in its 2-1 victory at Nice. ( REPORT )

In its second match, Jodie Taylor scored after a gap of 430 days, which was enough to seal England's spot in the round of 16. ( REPORT )

Dual strikes from White in its final group stage fixture against Japan, ensured Neville and co. progressed with a 100% win record. ( REPORT )

 

CAMEROON Cameroon had a sorry start to its campaign as it fell prey to Canada after Kadeisha Buchanan struck right before the half-time whistle, and the African contingent failed to come up with an answer to her strike. ( REPORT )

After the initial loss, Cameroon was subjected to the Oranje brilliance which saw Gabrielle Onguene's solitary goal go in vain as Netherlands registered a comfortable 3-1 win. ( REPORT )

However, Cameroon's fate changed in its final fixture of the group stages with Nchout's last-gasp winner sending it through. Cameroon was close to the exit after Aurelle Awona scored an own goal to negate Nchout's first goal but in the 95th minute, Nchout came up with a moment of magic which meant Cameroon qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams. ( REPORT )