Lucy Bronze brutally snubs shaking referee's hand after VAR controversies

01 August 2023 , 14:08

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Lucy Bronze brutally snubs shaking referee's hand after VAR controversies

England defender Lucy Bronze made her feelings clear towards referee Casey Reibelt at full-time following the Lionesses ' 6-1 thumping of China at the Women's World Cup.

Sarina Wiegman's side cruised to a victory to top group D with a brace from Lauren James and a goal each from Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly. England were comfortably 3-0 up at half-time, although it could've been four if James didn't have a goal controversially ruled out for offside.

The Chelsea winger had seemingly scored her second goal of the game with a fantastic strike, but VAR was called in to check an offside call. Bronze, who was in an offside position, was adjudged to be interfering with play, as she walked back into an onside position.

Lucy Bronze declined to shake the referee's hand following the win over China (ITV)

The ball game off a China defender before she picked it up and laid it off to James, who struck it into the top corner. A controversial call, but the goal was disallowed nonetheless.

Bronze was at the centre of another VAR decision in the second-half as a China corner was delivered into the box. The defender was pushed forward by goalkeeper Mary Earps as England looked to defend the cross and it struck Bronze in the chest.

Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd

She looked to keep her arms behind her back, but a lengthy VAR check followed and the referee announced a penalty would be given. Bronze was booked for handball.

Wang Shuang dispatched the penalty with ease and, for a brief period, China looked to be on top. That was until James scored her second of the game and this time it stood.

Goals from Kelly and Daly followed as England top group D and will face Nigeria in the round of 16 on Monday. Once the referee below for full-time, Bronze skipped the referee when shaking the officials' hands - a clear show of discontent towards the decisions made.

Denmark secured second place in the group following their 2-0 win over Haiti in the other 12pm kick-off. Pernille Harder and Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen were among the goals.

Hannah Pinnock