'I'm not sure where to start' - the World Cup game that had everything

Media playback is not supported on this device

VAR controversy overshadows England's 3-0 win over Cameroon in the last 16

England booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup with victory over Cameroon but that was just half the story.

It was a match like no other - full of incident, drama and controversy - which left viewers outraged.

England boss Phil Neville said he felt "ashamed" at full-time and described it as a game "that wasn't football".

But Cameroon boss Alain Djeumfa said there had been "a miscarriage of justice".

So what happened?

Nikita Parris reacts to a foul
Cameroon defender Yvonne Leuko fouls Nikita Parris within four minutes near the touchline. She slaps the England winger across the face but is only shown a yellow card. Parris protests against the decision not to award a red card.

The Daily Telegraph's chief sports writer Paul Hayward said you could hear the scream of Parris from the stands.

Toni Duggan reacts
Ten minutes later, Augustine Ejangue is deemed to have illegally passed the ball back to her own goalkeeper and England are awarded a free-kick inside the box. The Cameroon players are visibly frustrated with the decision, while England forward Toni Duggan gestures to the referee that she had been spat on by the defender. Steph Houghton then puts England ahead with the resulting free-kick.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Houghton smashes in indirect free-kick to give England the lead
Ellen White waiting for a VAR decision to be made
On the stroke of half-time, Ellen White slots the ball into the corner to double England's lead. However, it is ruled out for offside and she has to wait for a VAR decision before it is eventually overturned and the goal is allowed to stand.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Ellen White doubles England's lead after a VAR review
Cameroon players react to a VAR decision
The Cameroon players are furious with the decision after a freeze-frame of the incident - not the frame used by VAR when the ball was played - is shown on the big screen in the stadium.

Ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis reacting on BBC One at the time: "There's a lot of emotion. If Cameroon take the emotion out of it, they will realise the goal is onside. The freeze-frame was up on the screen inside the ground for about three seconds. Whatever Cameroon's players saw, they took judgment on it."

Cameroon players protest in the middle of the pitch
The Cameroon players then huddle in the centre of the pitch and briefly halt the game. Referee Liang Qin urges them to continue but it takes several minutes for the restart to take place.

Former USA goalkeeper Hope Solo reacting on BBC One at the time: "Cameroon's players need to get off the pitch. The manager needs to do something and get his players in the locker room."

Cameroon gather themselves at half-time and come out strong in the second half. Gabrielle Onguene picks out Ajara Nchout in the box and the midfielder thinks she has scored. However, a VAR review shows Onguene was just offside and the goal is ruled out.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Cameroon have a goal ruled out for offside against England
Ajara Nchout reacts to the VAR decision
Ajara Nchout is distraught at the decision and has to be calmed down by head coach Alain Djeumfa and her team-mates

Former England forward Sue Smith reacting at the time on BBC One: "Emotions are high. The manager is trying to calm them down, trying to tell the players they still have a lot of time left in the game. The players keep looking at the screen and when the decision was made the Cameroon players fell to the floor."

Cameroon have two big chances to score before England left-back Alex Greenwood scores from Duggan's corner.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Alex Greenwood scores England's third goal of the game against Cameroon
VAR review
Later in the half, England come close again through Jodie Taylor and there is a VAR review to see whether Fran Kirby was fouled in the build-up. The decision is made not to award a penalty.

Hope Solo: "I thought the referee had awarded a penalty. Didn't she have her arm out and was pointing?"

Steph Houghton
And finally in injury time, Alexandra Takounda comes flying in on England defender Steph Houghton. Phil Neville reacts angrily and the Cameroon players are unhappy. Captain Gabrielle Onguene starts shouting at Houghton and has to be taken away by England players and her own team-mates. Following a VAR review, Takounda is only shown a yellow card.

Sue Smith: "If Gabrielle Onguene had seen that challenge from the angle we have just seen she would not be complaining like that."

Rachel Brown-Finnis: "It should have been a red card. If it's putting the player at risk of injury then its deemed reckless and a red card. I'm just glad Steph Houghton is OK."

'Let down by the officials' - pundits and players react at full-time

England left-back Alex Greenwood: "It is what it is. These things happen. We cannot control what they do and we have to make sure we focus on ourselves and make sure we are professional. I think we did that.

"VAR is part of the game and people aren't always going to agree. It is there for a reason."

Oliver Holt Twitter

Ex-England international Alex Scott on BBC One: "When we are talking about the development of women's football and we're proud of it, we now need to think about the level of the referees. This is going out worldwide but we are being let down by the officials. There are some good ones but not enough.

Former USA goalkeeper Hope Solo on BBC One: "I'm so glad the final whistle has been blown. We don't want to see any more injuries and I'm sick of talking about VAR."

Casey Stoney tweet

England captain Steph Houghton: "I think as England players we remained calm, we didn't get involved in anything and we're through to the quarter-finals."

Tim Vine tweet

Ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis on BBC One: "I'm not sure where to start. This game really did have everything. Ultimately, if you take the emotion out of it then England were the better team and are through to face Norway."

Jacqui Oatley Twitter

How BBC Sport readers reacted on social media

Maria: Elbows, spitting and protests and a referee who lost the match early on. But the Lionesses get the job done.

Archie: Very entertaining game, but for the wrong reasons. The Lionesses march on.

Jon: Football is finished if VAR is going to be used like it has been today. I'm off to watch the lower leagues, proper pure football.

David: When the referee gets the whisper in her ear that VAR is checking for a decision she must be dreading the backlash.

Javel: I think the ref did right. You have to allow for emotion in a competition that is the pinnacle of players' careers. I'd give them a verbal warning that they don't disrupt the match. Forfeiting the match would penalise the fans.

Peter Shields: Disgraceful behaviour from Cameroon BUT I have to say, the off side rule is ludicrous, I thought she was level - surely there has to be more evidence of a clear offside to rule the goal out ? The Ref was awful, she choked on a definite England penalty & red card.

Top Stories