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Lauren James’ magic sees her become the youngest player to be involved in five goals in a Women’s World Cup match as England dominate China to finish group winners, setting up a last 16 clash with Nigeria

 Updated 
Tue 1 Aug 2023 10.07 EDTFirst published on Tue 1 Aug 2023 06.00 EDT
Lauren James celebrates with Rachel Daly after scoring another brilliant goal for England.
Lauren James celebrates with Rachel Daly after scoring another brilliant goal for England. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images
Lauren James celebrates with Rachel Daly after scoring another brilliant goal for England. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

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Thank you so much for joining me for this match! China were blown away by a clinical England and particularly Lauren James. I think Wiegman has found James’ position in the 10 role and Toone may be benched for more games in this tournament. The dominant win means England are group winners and will face Nigeria in the last 16. That is all the live action from the World Cup for today but do tune back in with us tomorrow as Group G and F are decided. Until then have a read of the report from this one:

In the press conference Sarina Wiegman has spoken about her change in formation: “They were really excited about it. We were convinced that it would work. We saw a lot of players tonight that were at a very high level.”

England’s next opponents are Nigeria who have had some great performances in this tournament so far. They held Olympic champions Canada to a 0-0 draw, they beat co-hosts Australia 3-2 and had another 0-0 draw with Ireland. The last 16 match will be a tricky one for the Lionesses and they will have to quell the forward threat of Asisat Oshoala – some readers will know her from her cracking skill at Barcelona.

Many did think China could cause England more issues today and there were times where they were threatening. However, the country only scored two goals at the tournament in the three group games – both penalties. They will be ruing their missed chances against Denmark, a win there would have seen them through.

A milestone has been hit at the tournament following the conclusion of Group D:

Continuing to set new milestones on and off the pitch!

1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ fans have now passed through the turnstiles at the @FIFAWWC 🤩

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) August 1, 2023

It is not only England who have finished the group stage with a statement performance. The Netherlands beat Vietnam 7-0, Australia defeated Canada 4-0 and Japan saw off Spain 4-0. The team to raise an unimpressed eyebrow though has been defending champions USA, who many would have had as favourites before the tournament but have not been great so far. They secured their spot in the last 16 with a 0-0 draw against Portugal and the team are getting a lot of criticism. This is how their head coach reacted:

England will next have Nigeria, it is not clear if Walsh will be available but she is the only player with a question mark over her. Wiegman worked her replacements well. Stanway and Hemp had a yellow from a previous match, Stanway was subbed at half-time and Hemp was taken off early in the second, if they picked up another yellow they would not have been available for the last 16 match.

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The main talking point heading into this match was Keira Walsh being missing after her knee injury. Katie Zelem was asked to fill some big boots and she did a really good job. Fans will feel more confident moving forward – with or without Walsh -England have the answers.

England manager Sarina Wiegman told ITV: “Yeah I am very delighted. What I said before the game, we are going to do things a bit different. It shows how adaptive this team is. I think today it worked really well, players felt comfortable. We want to use the quality we have. James feels good, she did special things today. Unfortunately that one goal was cancelled. I think what we expected for China was them to press a little high, I don’t think they didn’t expect us to play this way and they didn’t find a solution.”

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England’s Lauren James has told ITV: “Again another day of what dreams are made of. I am happy for the team, we are looking forward to the next round. I felt free, whether I am on the wing or the middle I am just happy to be on the pitch. I think like last game I thought why not hit it and see what happens. A bit frustrating [one goal being ruled out], but those things happen. Each game I am looking to improve and get better, there are many more years of improvement. Yeah [Nigeria will be] very tough, every team has been tough – teams are catching up with each other.”

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was on the commentary and I did laugh when she said after James’ second goal went in: “I hope whichever club has this player, signed her to a long term contract.” Chelsea have done just that.

No announcement on who was Player of the Match but I suspect it could be coming for James. A great performance throughout the team but James had three assists and two goals.

Full time! China 1-6 England

England are through to the last 16 as group winners and will play Nigeria, the result means China are out and bow out at the group stage for the first time. China were unfortunate to lose late on to Denmark and put themselves in a shout after beating Haiti. But their performance against England was not good enough with the Lionesses able to put six in.

England ease into the last 16, where they face Nigeria on Monday. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock
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90 + 10 min: Charles loses possession and china create something but Shen sends it over the bar. In the other game Denmark have double their lead against Haiti. England attack and Kelly wants a free kick but it is not awarded.

90 + 8 min: The free kick is taken and it’s back to halfway, it comes to Coombs who gets a shot off but it’s wide.

90 + 6 min: A bit of a disjointed end to this one, Daly wins a free kick from a foul. It seems England will be playing Nigeria in the next round.

90 + 4 min: So slick from China, Charles was in a good position but they manage to wrestle it off her and keep it in. China make two changes with Shen and Dou on.

90 + 2 min: A cross comes in and England almost gets to it but it evades her. China win a free kick and it’s thundered up. It comes all the way through for Earps to save. There will be 11 minutes added.

87 min: Zelem is down here but play goes on, China pings the ball into the box and Earps is forced to save after a huge shot from Chen. Zelem is back up and okay.

GOAL! China 1-6 England (Daly, 84')

Lovely finish from Daly, it’s popped in by Kelly and it’s a one touch finish.

England have been too good all over the park. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images
Rachel Daly adds the sixth goal for England with a classy finish. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
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84 min: A great run form China and Yang takes a shot but it hits the referee – uncontested drop ball to come. Or is it? Because of the position of where it was going to be taken Earps has a word and the referee allows the keeper to take possession. England trigger an attack and Kelly does well to get it in a great position.

82 min: England make another change with James coming off for Toone, a huge cheer for her as she comes off after two goals. Almost a hat-trick with one goal ruled out.

80 min: England are coming forward again here, can they score again int he last 10? Tony has had his say on the penalty: “I think it was a penalty given that China were disadvantaged due to Bronze’s hand/arm. However, I would prefer those incidents to be given as an indirect free-kick and only deliberate handball given as a penalty. The booking is just daft.” An interesting take!

78 min: A long pass came into Kelly, Zhu comes out to try and take it but she makes no contact and it is an open goal for the Manchester City player.

76 min: China make changes with S Wang and Li off for Gu and H Wu. I am surprised S Wang is off, she is one of their best players – created the most going forward.

75 min: England taking a bit of the stung out of the game with possession in their backline. China had real pressure after the penalty but James’ second has taken the momentum back.

73 min: Ah England should have been a bit more selfish there, she could have had a pop at goal but she lays it back in – Coombs can’t get it away. England have a corner though. A good delivery from Zelem but Daly’s header is over.

72 min: England make some changes with Charles, England and Kelly are on for Bronze Russo and Hemp. Charles is on for her first minutes of this tournament.

70 min: Peter has had his say on the China penalty: “Come off it, Sarah. That’s a penalty all day long. The ball was going towards the net and came off her arm. We’ve seen players sent off for that before. Let’s not let our passion for England get in the way of being sensible.” In my opinion Earps pushes Bronze into the ball and the keeper would have saved the shot regardless. That is the beauty of the game, opinions a plenty! Also I am not bias – I don’t have a horse in this race in my reporting.

68 min: Oh my word Earps that was risky. She pops the ball to Carter but it doesn’t have a lot on it and China almost pounce!

67 min: A beautiful one touch finish from James, she has her second goal. What is promising for England is that they were really under pressure there, China were in their face but England dug deep.

GOAL! China 1-4 England (James, 66')

Wow! Greenwood blasts the ball into the box but Coombs can’t get a shot away. James has it back in but it’s cleared, Carter pings it back in and James slams it home.

Lauren James is a star! Photograph: Isabel Infantes/PA
Lauren James scores another brilliant goal for England! Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
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65 min: China are doing much better at closing England down in this half, they are wise to the game now. Chris has got in touch and said: “That was clearly ball-to-hand - Bronze had nowhere to go, except for dislocating her shoulder.” I agree, Earps also seems to push her arm into the ball also. It was a harsh penalty and even harsher to give Bronze a yellow for it.

64 min: Bright takes some pace out of the game, they are running the ball through the team now. Bronze finds a header to Russo but it’s out for a goal kick. Here come England again.

62 min: Bright expels the ball after China have sustained pressure here, the team feel so confident Yang tries a long range shot but it is over the bar.

60 min: Two decisions gone against Bronze now, she gave the penalty away and her offside position overturned James’ second goal. England need to collect themselves here, though China need to push while the team are hurting.

59 min: S Wang was the player to score a penalty against Haiti and she does it again for China. Earps nowhere near it, a start of a comeback perhaps.

PENALTY! China 1-3 England (S Wang, 57')

S Wang steps up to the spot and it’s in! A lovely penalty that.

Shuang Wang slots the penalty past Earps in the England goal. China have been greatly improved in this second half. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
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56 min: The positioning looks like Earps would have stopped it even if Bronze didn’t touch it but the referee decides a penalty and a yellow card. Bronze looks baffled.

55 min: The referee has been asked to have a look at this, has it hit Bronze? It hits her arm but they look in a natural position, a penalty could come here.

54 min: James loses possession and Wu comes away with it, she hits a great strike but Earps saves – conceding a corner. Yao takes the corner, a lovely delivery and it pinballs. It looks like it has hit Bronze’s hand, a penalty to come? VAR will check

Mary Earps makes a save but has there been a handball by Lucy Bronze in the scramble? Photograph: Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
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52 min: Greenwood takes and it is a good delivery, Bronze leaps but can’t quite get to it. Also just to confirm England are playing a 3-5-2.

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