Lauren James on brink of England historical past at Women’s World Cup with targets galore
England star Lauren James is nicely on her option to profitable the 2023 Women’s World Cup golden boot having made waves together with her performances within the group stage. The 21-year-old solely made her England senior debut in September final 12 months however has shortly established herself as a key member of Sarina Wiegman’s squad.
And the versatile attacker has been the principle star for England at this 12 months’s World Cup already. She grabbed the one aim of the sport towards Denmark with a cracking curling effort from 20 yards out.
James was again on the scoresheet as soon as once more in England’s ultimate group recreation towards China with one other beautiful effort from outdoors the field within the first half. She made it a brace within the second half with an excellent volley together with her weaker foot on the again publish.
That might have simply been her hat-trick aim as nicely after James was cruelly denied a second aim earlier within the first half. She completed the group stage with three targets and simply as many assists to place her within the working to win the World Cup Golden Boot.
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No English feminine participant has ever gained the World Cup Golden Boot as Ellen White was awarded the bronze boot again in 2019 regardless of ending because the joint prime goalscorer with Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. James will little question be hoping so as to add to her tally in England’s round-of-16 tie towards Nigeria on Monday.
She’s at the moment tied for third within the goalscoring charts with eight different gamers. Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa is main the best way with 5 targets, though she has already performed yet one more recreation than James.
Alexandra Popp is the opposite participant at the moment forward of James, however Germany had been knocked out of the group phases which means she will not be capable to add to that tally. James’ tally of three assists may even assist her trigger because the Golden Boot shall be decided by assists if two or extra gamers end on the identical variety of targets.
Former England star Fara Williams has backed her compatriot to guide the Lionesses to glory on the World Cup. Williams informed the Mirror: “She’s an exceptional talent, and one that I was looking forward to seeing her showcase that on the world stage.
She added: “I knew that she had, not just the qualities on the pitch, but the calmness to demonstrate it which is something else.
“She’s such a composed athlete, and I’m just so happy to see her have done what she’s done. Player of the match in her first two starts at the World Cup, that speaks volumes of her as a player.”