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auren James scored a wonder strike in her first Women’s World Cup start to lead England to a 1-0 Group D victory over Denmark on Friday, all but guaranteeing the European champions a spot in the knockout stage.
Coach Sarina Wiegman made two bold changes to Friday’s squad, moving the versatile Rachel Daly back to defence and inserting James into the starting lineup – and the two teamed up to score in the sixth minute at Sydney Football Stadium.
Daly knocked the ball to James, who sped past one defender then curled in a rocket from 22 yards out that goalkeeper Lene Christensen had little chance of stopping.
Bayern Munich forward Pernille Harder almost pulled one back for Denmark in the dying minutes, clanging a header off the post.
The fourth-ranked Lionesses, who defeated Haiti 1-0 in their opener, play China on Aug. 1 in their final group game. Denmark, who beat China 1-0 to kick off their campaign, play Haiti the same day.
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Thank you for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England’s win over Denmark.
Find our report, ratings, reaction and analysis below!
Wiegman pleased with England spirit after ‘horrible’ Walsh injury
England head coach Sarina Wiegman hailed her side’s resilience as they battled to victory against Denmark after Keira Walsh went off with a “horrible” knee injury.
Walsh injured her knee 10 minutes before half-time of the Lionesses’ 1-0 win over Group D opponents Denmark, which put them on the cusp of qualifying for the last-16 of this World Cup.
Before that, England had taken the lead through Lauren James when she curled home a brilliant strike after just six minutes.
The Walsh injury rocked the Lionesses, though, and Wiegman praised her side for grinding out the win in Sydney.
Read the full story here!
Kelly responds to pitch concerns after Keira Walsh injury
England winger Chloe Kelly has dismissed concerns the pitch was too dry when Keira Walsh injured her knee against Denmark.
Walsh was stretchered off around 10 minutes before half-time of England’s 1-0 win over Group D opponents Denmark, which put them on the cusp of reaching the knockout stage of this World Cup.
In the wake of the injury, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall, who is working on the BBC as a pundit during the tournament, said the pitch looked “very dry”.
Read the full story here!
Reece James celebrates sister Lauren scoring
The Chelsea defender sent a message after watching his sister score a brilliant goal at the World Cup.
England ratings: James makes statement but Bright looks rusty again
England took a big step towards the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup with a win over Denmark.
Lauren Jamesscored the only goal of the game after curling the ball into the bottom corner just six minutes into the match.
The result, however, was overshadowed by Lionesses midfielder Keira Walsh injuring her knee and being carried off on a stretcher after 38 minutes.
The win means England are top of Group D and they will qualify for the last-16 if China fail to beat Haiti later on Friday.
Simon Collings was in Sydney to see the Lionesses in action…
England edge past Denmark as James stars but Walsh injury mars win
Sarina Wiegman said on the eve of this World Cup she wanted selection headaches, but now the England head coach will fear she has one that cannot be cured.
The Lionesses put one foot in the last-16 with a 1-0 victory over Group D opponents Denmark, however the result was overshadowed by Keira Walsh injuring her knee.
Walsh’s knee buckled when she was stretching for a pass 10 minutes before half-time and immediately the midfielder signalled to the bench that she had to come off.
She looked close to tears as she was carried off on a stretcher and England will be fearing the worst.
The Lionesses already lost captain Leah Williamson, forward Beth Mead and playmaker Fran Kirby to knee injuries before this World Cup, but the absence of Walsh would be even greater than that.
Read the full match report from Simon Collings here!
Sarina Wiegman to BBC on Keira Walsh’s injury
“It did look serious, if you can’t walk off the pitch then its serious but I don’t know.”
Lauren James to BBC
“It was a dream, it was something I was thinking about.”
The winning goal
What a stage to do it on…
FT: England 1-0 Denmark
England get a HUGE let off late on as the Lionesses edge past Denmark to put one foot into the knockout stages.
Lauren James a positive but the injury to Keira Walsh is a massive blow.
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