England's Lionesses have reached the knock-out levels of the Women's World Cup after a dominant 6-1 win towards China in Adelaide.

The European champions wanted only a level towards the Women's Asian Cup winners to clinch prime spot in Group D.

But they settled nerves early on within the match when Alessia Russo hooked within the opener after simply 4 minutes.

Lauren Hemp added a second 26 minutes in, earlier than Lauren James scored her second curled marvel objective of the World Cup to make it 3-0 earlier than half-time.

James thought she had added a fourth with one other fantastically positioned long-range strike earlier than the break.

However, the referee dominated it out after a assessment.

VAR punished England once more after half-time, when China had been awarded a penalty.

The Lionesses conceded for the primary time within the match after Lucy Bronze appeared to deal with the ball and was given a yellow card after the assessment.

Wang Shuang pulled one again for China from the spot to provide the Chinese hope, because the Lionesses let their lead slip to 3-1.

But one other beautiful James strike restored a three-goal cushion for England.

England followers 'completely buzzing' after crushing victory

By Nicole Johnston in Sydney

England’s followers lastly received the win they’d been ready for. A assured, crushing victory leaving China of their wake. The Lionesses scored objective after objective.

At Sydney’s fan zone many of the crowd backed China, however just a few England teams additionally watched the late-night sport.

“I’m so happy I’m absolutely buzzing,” Maya Walden stated. She travelled from England to Australia for the match. “I knew we were going to win but I didn’t think it would be to that scale at all.”

As for Maya’s favorite second: “Just all of it. I think when Lauren James scored the first time it was amazing.”

For China followers it was a troublesome night. The Asian Cup champions scored just one penalty objective and struggled towards England.

University scholar Lincoln Xue took the loss gracefully. “I’m definitely pretty sad but it’s fine and I think we had some chances but we did not take them,” Xue informed me. “England are the European champions.”

There was no denying the Chelsea ahead her second objective of the sport, as she produced a elegant first-time side-footed volley into the far nook of the online.

And Euros hero Chloe Kelly pounced on a goalkeeping error by Zhu Yu to make it 5.

Rachel Daly rounded off the scoring to make it 6-1 in a thumping England win.

James was denied her hat-trick when England boss Sarina Wiegman took her off with 10 minutes to go - presumably with an eye fixed on the subsequent spherical.

The double goalscorer stated: "It's what dreams are made of. Happy for the team and everyone is buzzing and looking forward to going into the next round.

"I felt free, whether or not I'm on the wing or within the center, I'm simply pleased to be on the pitch enjoying and having fun with my soccer. I'm pleased I can contribute to targets as properly."

On her stunning first-time finish at the far post, she added: "I believe just like the final sport, I simply thought 'Why not? Hit it and see what occurs'."

And she said more is to come, adding: "For certain, every day, every sport I'm trying to enhance and get higher, there are various extra years of enchancment, I can all the time get higher. I simply want to remain targeted and hopefully that may occur."

Manager Wiegman made three adjustments to her Lionesses beginning line-up - with Katie Zelem beginning within the World Cup for the primary time, and Jess Carter and Hemp returning to the beginning XI.

Five gamers that lifted final yr's Euros had been unavailable for the showdown with China.

But England weren't fazed and delivered their most assured efficiency of the match to date.

Wiegman stated afterwards: "I am very delighted, I said before the game we were going to do things a little bit different than we did before and we did really well, it shows how adaptive this team is and I think they are enjoying themselves.

"I believe as we speak it labored rather well, gamers felt comfy. What we would like is the qualities we have now now to try to use them a little bit bit extra."

On James's performance, Wiegman added: "She feels good, you'll be able to inform, she did particular issues as we speak. Unfortunately one objective was cancelled, however she flows over the pitch."

Wiegman tight-lipped on Walsh

The Lionesses booked their place within the final 16 with out key midfielder Keira Walsh, who was dominated out of a minimum of this conflict with an undisclosed knee drawback after an harm within the final match towards Denmark.

Wiegman was non-committal when requested earlier than the sport whether or not Walsh would be capable of play any additional half within the match.

Walsh was stretchered off within the first half of England's match towards Denmark in Sydney on Friday with what gave the impression to be a severe knee harm, though scans have since proven the 26-year-old has not suffered an ACL harm as first feared.

"Keira is okay. It's not an ACL. I can't give you any more information," Wiegman stated.

"It's not nice to lose players. First of all for them, and second for the team, but we are here to move on.

"It's a part of sport, it is not good, however we have now to maneuver on, to adapt to the brand new state of affairs and discover a means, and convey 11 gamers on the pitch with whom we expect can win the sport."

Read extra:How China v England unfolded

What subsequent for England?

The fourth-ranked Lionesses defeated Haiti 1-0 of their opener, and Denmark 1-0 within the second group sport of the match.

Group winners and runners-up progress to the final 16.

By profitable their group, England have secured a knock-out tie towards Nigeria on Monday - avoiding hosts Australia.

The subsequent spherical of knock-out stage fixtures will happen from 5 to eight August.