England has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup after a stunning goal by Lucy Bronze saw the Lionesses to a 2-1 round-of-16 win over Norway.

Nothing could separate the teams through a dour first 45 minutes, but Norway broke the deadlock nine minutes after the resumption when Solveig Gulbrandsen produced a solid near-post header that bounced off the crossbar and in.

• Kyah Simon ‘super stoked’ with winner 
• Matildas reach quarter-finals after Brazil shock 
• The women who’ll restore your faith in football

It appeared to spark the English to life and they got back on level pegging seven minutes later through captain Steph Houghton, who also headed in a well-delivered corner, from Fara Williams.

But the day belonged to right-back Bronze who, with scores locked at 1-1, unleashed a searing first-touch shot from outside the 18-yard box into the top right corner off Ingrid Hjelmseth’s outstretched hand after some nice interplay in the lead-up from Jill Scott and Jodie Taylor.

The brilliant strike saw England book a last-eight clash with hosts Canada, who beat Switzerland 1-0 on Monday (AEST).