BARROW'S Georgia Stanway was an unused substitute as England set up a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway after beating Cameroon 3-0 in an ill-tempered clash in Valenciennes.

Phil Neville’s side went ahead in the 14th minute at the Stade du Hainaut when Cameroon were deemed guilty of a back pass and, from the resulting indirect free-kick, Toni Duggan teed up a strike by England captain Steph Houghton.

Extraordinary scenes then followed as Cameroon made their displeasure known about two VAR decisions that went against them.

After Ellen White’s finish in first-half stoppage time was ruled out for offside and the decision was subsequently overturned, Cameroon’s players remonstrated at length with the officials and there appeared some doubt over whether they would resume playing.

Their anger then increased shortly after the interval when Ajara Nchout fired the ball into England’s net and a VAR review saw that effort chalked off for offside.

The game was held up once more as Cameroon made further angry protests, with Nchout in tears.

England survived some scares soon after, then extended their advantage in the 59th minute through Alex Greenwood’s finish, before referee Qin Liang made another VAR check following a Ysis Sonkeng challenge on Fran Kirby, with no penalty being given.

Having come through a test that also saw them receive some rough treatment and Duggan being spat on, England will now face Norway on Thursday in Le Havre for a place in the semi-finals.

England boss Phil Neville was fiercely critical of Cameroon’s players after the match.

He told BBC Sport: “It didn’t feel like football, to be honest.

"I know we get these briefs about coming on TV and saying it was a good win - and it was a good win and we passed the ball well and were ruthless in attack and are ready to play in a quarter final - but I’ve got to say that wasn’t football for me.

“It wasn’t a World Cup game in terms of the behaviour that I want to see from footballers.

"This is going out worldwide and I can’t stand here and say that I particularly enjoyed it or my players enjoyed it.

"At half-time they were confused about what was going on, what they should do, but they kept their concentration brilliantly.

“I can’t stand here and say that is fantastic that we are into the quarter-finals of a World Cup, because this is going out all over the world and young girls are seeing this and can be influenced by it, there’s a bigger picture here.”