Lauren James’ maiden World Cup aim was sufficient for England to keep up their 100 per cent document in Group D with a 1-0 victory over Denmark on the Sydney Soccer Stadium.
The Chelsea ahead struck the sixth-minute opener, however England suffered a serious blow after 38 minutes when midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off with an obvious knee damage and later appeared on the touchline utilizing crutches.
James’ aim was England’s first from open play since April’s Finalissima at Wembley, whereas Denmark got here inside inches of a last-gasp leveller when Amalie Vangsgaard’s header clipped the publish.
England now have to attend for the results of China and Haiti within the late kick-off to study if they’ve superior to the knockouts with a match to spare.
Sarina Wiegman caught with the identical beginning line-up for each recreation of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning marketing campaign, however she shook issues up in opposition to Denmark with two modifications from England’s 1-0 match opener in opposition to Haiti.
James, who got here on in its place in that match for her World Cup debut, changed Lauren Hemp on the left wing whereas Rachel Daly returned to a extra acquainted left-back the place she began each match of the European Championships.
That pushed Alex Greenwood to centre again, leaving Jess Carter wanting on from the bench after beginning in opposition to Haiti.
Wiegman’s choices have been virtually immediately justified when Daly slipped the ball to James, who curled previous Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen.
Ella Toone almost arrange James for a second quickly after, however this time the 21-year-old was solely in a position to drill a low try into Christiansen’s arms.
With England largely dictating play, Denmark’s first actual probability of an equaliser got here when Rikke Madsen collected the ball and pivoted on the appropriate fringe of the penalty space however despatched her effort throughout the face of aim.
Lars Sondergaard’s facet have been selecting up the tempo with Janni Thomsen firing over and ex-Chelsea ahead and Denmark skipper Pernille Tougher denied by Mary Earps, whereas on the different finish Lucy Bronze nodded Chloe Kelly’s nook over.
Then got here what could possibly be a devastating blow to Wiegman’s facet when Walsh slid to gather the ball and was in speedy ache when she stopped.
Walsh waved off assist from her team-mates as she may clearly be seen telling the crew’s medical employees: “I’ve achieved my knee.”
The Champions League winner, named player-of-the-match within the Euro 2022 last, was stretchered off and changed by Manchester Metropolis’s Laura Coombs.
Tougher rolled an effort large to finish the primary half, whereas Kathrine Kuhl couldn’t discover the of completion for Denmark after the restart.
Alessia Russo got here near extending England’s benefit when she collected the ball in midfield and drove down the pitch earlier than firing large of the close to publish from 12 yards.
Earps, who made an important save to disclaim Haiti a late leveller, was examined once more when she parried Katrine Veje’s cross – which appeared destined to clip the crossbar – out of hurt’s method.
Each Toone and Russo’s shifts got here to an finish after 77 minutes as Hemp got here on for the previous and Russo was changed by Beth England, who was a part of the Lionesses European Championship-winning squad however didn’t play a single minute.
The Spurs striker directed a header large and Bronze missed from a late try from distance.
The Lionesses narrowly averted late drama when a pair of Denmark substitutes almost mixed for an equaliser, however to their aid Vangsgaard’s header from Nicoline Sorensen’s cross got here again off the appropriate publish, and a leaping save from Earps in 4 minutes of stoppage time sealed one other too-close-for-comfort consequence.
