England v Nigeria – key battles that may decide World Cup last-16 match in Brisbane

The 28-year-old pounced on the chance to open her account from a tight angle following the kind of defensive mix-up that Bright is unlikely to afford her, although the England captain produced an uncharacteristically shaky performance as the Lionesses laboured to beat Haiti in their opener.

Bright, 29, returned from a four-month injury absence for the start of the tournament but the rustiness she continued to show against Denmark in England’s second game was made more forgivable by her place at the centre of a defence that kept two-time European Women’s Player of the Year Pernille Harder from scoring.

Bright’s four interceptions in England’s 6-1 thrashing of China were more than her total from her first two games combined, while her 145 successful passes against the former runners-up were the most on record for a player in a Women’s World Cup match.

Bright was also involved in England’s second goal, winning possession and driving forward before finding scorer James, and finished the game with a combined total of five more clearances and interceptions than any of her team-mates.

Oshoala’s pace and finishing ability could show up any lingering shortcomings in Bright’s athleticism and sharpness following her injury. But she failed to score from positions classed as big chances by analytics experts Opta against Canada and the Republic of Ireland.