England’s Lionesses have reached the knock-out levels of the Women’s World Cup after a dominant 6-1 win in opposition to China in Adelaide.
The European champions wanted only a level in opposition to the Women’s Asian Cup winners to clinch high spot in Group D.
But they settled nerves early on within the match when Alessia Russo hooked within the opener after simply 4 minutes.
Alessia Russo put England in entrance after simply 4 minutes
Lauren Hemp added a second 26 minutes in, earlier than Lauren James scored her second curled marvel aim of the World Cup to make it 3-0 earlier than half-time.
James thought she had added a fourth with one other superbly 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 have been awarded a penalty.
China’s Wang Shuang scores their facet’s first aim of the sport from the penalty spot
The Lionesses conceded for the primary time within the event 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 offer the Chinese hope, because the Lionesses let their lead slip to 3-1.
But one other gorgeous James strike restored a three-goal cushion for England.
There was no denying the Chelsea ahead her second aim of the sport, as she produced a elegant first-time side-footed volley into the far nook of the web.
And Euros hero Chloe Kelly pounced on a goalkeeping error by Zhu Yu to make it 5.
England’s Chloe Kelly celebrates scoring their fifth aim
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 mentioned: “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 objectives as effectively.”
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 positive, every day, every sport I’m seeking to enhance and get higher, there are lots of extra years of enchancment, I can all the time get higher. I simply want to remain centered and hopefully that may occur.”
James volleys in her second – and England’s fourth aim
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 12 months’s Euros have been unavailable for the showdown with China.
But England weren’t fazed and delivered their most assured efficiency of the event to this point.
Wiegman mentioned 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 at the moment it labored very well, gamers felt snug. What we wish is the qualities we’ve got now to attempt to use them somewhat bit extra.”
On James’s performance, Wiegman added: “She feels good, you’ll be able to inform, she did particular issues at the moment. Unfortunately one aim 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 at the very least this conflict with an undisclosed knee drawback after an damage within the final match in opposition to 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 event.
Walsh was stretchered off within the first half of England’s match in opposition to Denmark in Sydney on Friday with what seemed to be a critical knee damage, though scans have since proven the 26-year-old has not suffered an ACL damage as first feared.
“Keira is okay. It’s not an ACL. I can’t give you any more information,” Wiegman mentioned.
“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’ve got to maneuver on, to adapt to the brand new state of affairs and discover a approach, and produce 11 gamers on the pitch with whom we predict can win the sport.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman waves to England followers on the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Australia, after her facet attain the final 16 of the World Cup
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 event.
Group winners and runners-up progress to the final 16.
By successful their group, England have secured a knock-out tie in opposition to Nigeria on Monday – avoiding hosts Australia.
The subsequent spherical of knock-out stage fixtures will happen from 5 to eight August.
Content Source: information.sky.com