Women’s World Cup: England on brink of event knockout phases after 1-0 win over Denmark

England are on the point of the knockout phases of the Women’s World Cup after beating Denmark 1-0 within the second group recreation of the event.

The Lionesses will ebook their place within the final 16 if China fail to beat Haiti within the different late kick-off match.

The girls’s nationwide aspect had been forward after simply six minutes when Chelsea’s Lauren James lifted the ball previous diving Denmark keeper Lene Christensen.

But England suffered a blow when Keira Walsh was taken off the pitch on a stretcher earlier than half-time with a knee harm.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who was a key a part of the England staff that gained the Euros final yr, crumpled to the ground on the Sydney stadium with out contact within the thirty eighth minute and instantly known as for medical help.

Walsh slid to gather the ball and was in speedy ache when she stopped. She waved off assist from her teammates as she may clearly be seen in tears and telling the staff’s medical workers: “I’ve done my knee.”

The Champions League winner with Barcelona, who was named player-of-the-match within the Euro 2022 remaining, later appeared on the touchline utilizing crutches.

Speaking after the match, England goalscorer James instructed BBC Sport: “It was a dream, something I’ve been thinking about, but most importantly happy to help the team win.

“But as quickly because it hit the web it was only a reduction.

“(My teammates) were really happy for me and to be fair, they said it before the game they had a good feeling about me today and I’m just thankful I’ve got good people around me.

“I’m calm throughout on and off the pitch and I attempt to deliver that to my recreation as effectively and as we speak it confirmed that and helped.”

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England supervisor Sarina Wiegman stated: “I think we started well, we played well, we scored that goal, we had a little stage in the first half that we lost balls we didn’t have to lose, but we got the rhythm in the game.

“Then in fact we obtained this horrible second with Keira, she needed to exit, the second half it was a combat.

“We adapted to the new situation, we had to fight for the win and that’s what we did so I’m very proud of the team.”

Praising James, who was one in every of two adjustments coming into the staff, Wiegman instructed the BBC: “For me it doesn’t matter who scores the goals, they played well, started well and LJ made a very beautiful goal so that’s very nice.”

On Walsh’s harm, she stated: “It looked serious, if you can’t walk off the pitch it’s serious, but I don’t know. We just finished the game.

“I have never heard something but, you are within the recreation you simply have to maneuver on and now it is time to take a look at how she is and what the following steps are.”

Rachel Daly was one other participant coming into the squad for the match, slotting into defence.

“I will play anywhere for this team, it’s an honour to be anywhere on this pitch with this team,” she instructed BBC Sport.

“Putting on this shirt in any position I’m needed, I’m happy to.”

She additionally stated she has her “fingers crossed” that Walsh’s harm just isn’t as unhealthy because it first seems.

“It’s not nice to see anyone go off injured, but Keira’s Keira, she’s an integral part of this team on and off the pitch but I’m hoping it’s not too serious,” Daly added.

After the match, one England fan praised the win as “amazing”.

Isabel Herrick stated: “It was so good to score so early on but I’m just really pleased that we held on until the end.

“I believe we have this [the World Cup] within the bag. We’ve obtained this.”

However, not everyone was as enthused. Former Brighton player Charlotte Young said the performance “wasn’t very convincing” despite a strong start to the match.

She said: “I assumed we might enhance on the final efficiency. I believe we simply went a bit backwards in that early second half. I do not assume we actually obtained maintain of the sport.

“I think we looked better when the subs were made but I was still disappointed with our overall performance.”

Reacting to the news Gianni Infantino will not be present at all of the World Cup, Young hopes that he’ll attend the ultimate and present “that level of support and without him doing that [she thinks] it’s a little bit disrespectful”.

The fourth-ranked Lionesses, who defeated Haiti 1-0 of their opener, play China on 1 August of their remaining group recreation.

Denmark, who beat China 1-0 to kick off their marketing campaign, play Haiti the identical day.