Lauren James Nets Winner as England Close in on Knockout Stages
Lauren James scored her first goal in a World Cup match, securing a crucial 1-0 victory for England against Denmark at the Sydney Football Stadium. The win ensures that England maintains their perfect record in Group D and moves them one step closer to the knockout stages of the tournament.
England got off to a strong start with James finding the back of the net in the sixth minute. The Chelsea forward curled a beautiful shot past Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen, giving England an early lead. Despite dominating the game, England couldn’t find a second goal, and Denmark came close to equalizing in the dying moments with Amalie Vangsgaard’s header hitting the post.
The victory marks a significant achievement for James and the English team. It is also worth noting that this goal is England’s first from open play since April’s Finalissima at Wembley. This win puts England in a favorable position as they wait for the result of the China and Haiti match later in the day to determine if they have secured a spot in the knockout stages with a game to spare.
England’s head coach, Sarina Wiegman, made two changes to the starting line-up for the match against Denmark. Lauren James replaced Lauren Hemp on the left wing, while Rachel Daly returned to her familiar left-back position. These changes proved to be effective as James made an immediate impact with her early goal.
However, England suffered a setback in the 38th minute when midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off the field with a suspected knee injury. Walsh, who was named player-of-the-match in the Euro 2022 final, appeared on the touchline later using crutches, indicating the severity of her injury.
Denmark showed resilience and created a few chances of their own, with Rikke Madsen and Janni Thomsen going close. However, England’s defense held firm, with Lucy Bronze and Mary Earps making key interventions to preserve the clean sheet.
In the second half, both teams had opportunities to score. Alessia Russo came close to extending England’s lead, but her shot went wide. Denmark also threatened, but Earps made a crucial save to deny Katrine Veje’s dangerous cross.
As the match drew to a close, England made substitutions, bringing on Beth England and Lauren Hemp. Both players had chances to score, but their efforts were off target. In the end, England had to rely on a bit of luck as Vangsgaard’s header hit the post in stoppage time.
The victory puts England in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup. However, the team will have to wait for the outcome of the China and Haiti match to confirm their qualification. With confidence high and their winning streak intact, England will eagerly await the next stage of their World Cup journey.
Overall, it was an intense and hard-fought victory for England, with Lauren James’ goal proving to be the difference. The team showed resilience in the face of adversity, and their determination paid off. As the tournament progresses, England will look to build on this win and continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
