ENGLAND have beaten Denmark in Sydney – and the Lionesses have all but confirmed their place in the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup.
Lauren James’ screamer gave the Lionesses the lead against the Danes after just six minutes.
Keira Walsh was stretchered off after going down with a knee injury on 35 minutes.
The Lionesses managed to hang on to secure a 1-0 win despite Denmark hitting the post late on.
- Kick off time: 9:30am BST
- TV channel: BBC One
- FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer
- England team: Earps, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Bright, James, Stanway, Daly, Toone, Kelly, Russo
- Denmark team: Christensen, Hasbo, Ballisager, Sevecke, Boye, Holmgaard, Harder, Veje, Kuhl, Madsen, Thomsen
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England have almost confirmed their spot in the knockout stages with a 1-0 win over Denmark.
The Lionesses will now have to wait for this afternoon’s match between China and Haiti to conclude before they find out where they stand in Group D.
It wasn’t England’s best performance, but they showed glimpses of excellence during the first half before a devastating injury to Keira Walsh killed all momentum.
Nevertheless, the Lionesses are still undefeated in this year’s tournament and they are yet to concede a goal.
The race for the World Cup is still well and truly alive.
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Rachel Daly on Walsh’s injury
Speaking to BBC Sport, Day said: “It’s not nice to see anyone go off injured but Keira is Keira and she is an integral part of the team.
“I am really really hoping with everything that it isn’t anything too serious. She is a special player an special person.
“Let’s hope it isn’t as bad as it looked and it was only a precaution.”
Credit: AP Reece James reacts to Lauren’s goal
Lauren James scored her first World Cup goal just six minutes into her first World Cup start today.
Her brother, Chelsea’s Reece James, simply tweeted: “Proud.”
Credit: Twitter / @ReeceJames
‘It’s serious’
It did look serious so if you can’t walk off the pitch it’s serious. I don’t know, we’ve just finished the game.
Sarina Wiegman
Worry for Walsh
Keira Walsh was spotted on crutches and with her right knee in a brace during the second half.
England lost all momentum after the midfielder was forced off shortly before half time.
Walsh will now likely miss the rest of the tournament with what could potentially be an ACL injury.
Her absence will be a devastating blow for the Lionesses.
Walsh is irreplaceable in the England squad, so Wiegman may have to switch the structure of the team around to compensate for her absence.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Sarina Wiegman reacts
Speaking to BBC Sport, the England manager said: “We started well, we played well and scored the goal and then we had a little stage in the first half [where] we lost balls we didn’t have to lose.
“Then we had the horrible moment with Keira. Second half was a fight and the team showed we adapted to the new situation and we had to fight to win. I am very proud of the team.”
On James’ goal, she added: “For me it doesn’t matter who scores the goals. They played well, they started well and yes, LJ scored a beautiful goal.”
Lauren James reacts
Speaking to BBC Sport, the England winger said: “Yeah definitely [it was a great feeling to score]. It was a dream and something I’ve been thinking about but most importantly I’m happy to help us win.
“I kind of had a thought and then as soon as it hit the net it was just relief.”
“They [teammates] were just really happy for me and they said it before the game they had a good feeling about me. I am happy to have good people around me.”
“I am calm all around the pitch. I am happy to bring that on the pitch.”
Credit: PA Full Time – England 1-0 Denmark
Lauren James’ world-class early strike was overshadowed by the devastating injury to Keira Walsh.
Walsh has played more minutes for England than anyone else since Euro 2022, meaning she is one of the most important players in the heart of the team.
The Lionesses fell flat after the midfielder went off, and their intensity dropped significantly which allowed Denmark to get back into the game.
Full Time – England 1-0 Denmark
England claim all three points… just.
The Lionesses have all-but confirmed their spot in the knockout stages!
Credit: PA
90. England 1-0 Denmark
Four minutes have been added on.
Denmark are growing in momentum.
England need to kill this game now while they still have the advantage.
88. England 1-0 Denmark
England are playing in slow-motion and they are almost punished for it!
Bronze fails to close down Sorensen before the midfielder crosses the ball into the box.
Vangsgaard powers above Daly to head the ball towards goal, but it rattles the post!
A huge let-off for the Lionesses.
85. England 1-0 Denmark
Greenwood picks up the ball in defence before carrying it forward and setting it to James in the No.10 position.
James then skips past Holmgaard before sending a perfect through-ball to Kelly, who passes it back to Bronze.
Bronze attempts a long-range strike, but her effort is off-target.
82. England 1-0 Denmark
The Lionesses come close again as Daly sends a long ball through to England in the box, who heads it towards goal, but her effort narrowly loops over the ball.
78. England 1-0 Denmark
Denmark make some more changes.
Sorensen is on to replace Madsen.
Thogersen is on to replace Ballisager.
76. England 1-0 Denmark
England make two more changes.
Russo is replaced by England.
Toone is replaced by Hemp.
Hemp moves out onto the wing, leaving James to move inside to fill the void left by Toone.
72. England 1-0 Denmark
Huge chance for England as Russo drives forward.
She unleashes a strike from the edge of the box, but her effort runs wide.
Credit: AP 71. England 1-0 Denmark
Denmark make their first change.
Hasbo is replaced by Vangsgaard.
68. England 1-0 Denmark
The Lionesses are starting to make some sloppy mistakes now.
They got away with it last week against Haiti, but Denmark – a much more experienced side – will likely punish them move.
65. England 1-0 Denmark
Thomsen receives a warning from the referee for a push on Daly.
Denmark are gradually growing into this game and they are beginning to look dangerous.
57. England 1-0 Denmark
The Lionesses have another corner.
Greenwood sends it into the box for Bronze to run onto.
The full-back heads it towards goal, but her effort flies wide.
56. England 1-0 Denmark
James wins a corner following a superb nutmeg on Sevecke.
Greenwood sends it into the box, but the ball heads straight out for another corner.
52. England 1-0 Denmark
Denmark break through on goal as England lose the ball in midfield.
It is eventually set to Kuhl in the box, who attempts to catch Earps out with a clever strike into the bottom-right corner, but the England keeper makes the save.
Another warning sign for the Lionesses.
Credit: Getty 47. England 1-0 Denmark
A positive start for England after the break.
Greenwood sends a corner into the box and it is headed down by Bronze.
Toone attempts the half-volley, but her effort flies over the crossbar.
Kick Off – England 1-0 Denmark
We’re back underway!
The Lionesses are just 45 minutes away from potentially booking their spot in the knockout stages!
Half Time – England 1-0 Denmark
England have vastly improved performance-wise compared to last week’s opening match against Haiti.
The Lionesses are so much more defensively solid both on and off the ball and they are offering so much more going forward.
They just need to make the most of their chances now.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
