England 6 China 1: Sensational Lauren James scores twice as rampant Lionesses breeze through with complete thrashing

LAUREN JAMES wants to carve out her own name in the beautiful game. 

And she certainly did that as the Lionesses charged into the World Cup last 16 by pummelling China 6-1 despite VAR and penalty drama. 

England were in blistering form in Adelaide wiping their floor with their opponents to set up a Monday duel with Nigeria. 

Sarina Wiegman turned tinker woman with her altered Lionesses side roaring their way into the tournament’s knockout phase in style.

It was a performance that saw Alessia Russo end her six-game goalless run with the striker bagging her first since February as well her first ever at a World Cup. 

And team-mate James – sister of England and Chelsea star Reece – strengthened her standing as a rising star by bagging her first brace in the game’s biggest contest.

In a tournament of shocks, that has seen giants Spain and Germany humbled, perhaps one of the biggest shocks of them all was the changes Wiegman made to her first 11.  

Five of them in total. 

Among the biggest calls were Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly dropping to the bench with Rachel Daly deployed on the wing. 

And with Keira Walsh crocked, Katie Zelem earned her World Cup bow, playing in midfield alongside Georgia Stanway.

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But it was an astute move that paid off with England crushing any hopes of the Asian reigning champions springing a surprise. 

It took just four minutes for Wiegman’s aces to open the scoring with Lauren Hemp and Russo combining with the latter slotting home after China failed to clear. 

Hemp came close to making it 2-0 before England’s lead was eventually doubled with a goal that started with a bulldozing move from Millie Bright. 

The England skipper looked back to her imposing best by charging her way into the centre circle before James teed up Hemp to slide past Zhu Yu for England’s second. 

James, in perhaps her finest performance in a Lionesses shirt, made it 3-0 in the 41st minute moments after Lucy Bronze’s header hit the woodwork.

VAR DRAMA

But fans’ cheers turned to jeers when the forward’s curled effort for No4 was controversially ruled out with Bronze judged to be interfering with play close to half-time. 

The second spell saw China rewarded a controversial pen with the ball appearing to glance off Bronze’s arm prior to a decent stop for Earps. 

The decision went their way much to the delight of their raucous fans at Hindmarsh Stadium and Wang Shuang converted with Mary Earps conceding her first goal of the tournament. 

James notched her brace, expertly side-footing home after latching on to Jess Carter’s cross to make it 4-1 in the 66th minute 

Kelly made it 5-1, pouncing on a delivery from James to net a tap-in with goalkeeper Zhu left stranded. 

China’s nightmare got worse with Daly claiming her first goal of the contest with six minutes of normal time left.

With another dreaded VAR review, it looked as if Daly would be denied. 

But her volley was allowed with the England ace reward for a sterling shift in attack in a memorable win. 

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk