{"id":87485,"date":"2023-07-28T16:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T16:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/07\/28\/james-stars-as-england-close-in-on-last-16\/"},"modified":"2023-07-28T16:00:22","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T16:00:22","slug":"james-stars-as-england-close-in-on-last-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/07\/28\/james-stars-as-england-close-in-on-last-16\/","title":{"rendered":"James stars as England close in on last 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lauren James <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

England are on the brink of last 16 qualification in the Women\u2019s World Cup after producing a much-improved performance to beat Denmark \u2013 though they lost key midfielder Keira Walsh to a worrying injury.<\/p>\n

Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with a superb strike from the edge of the box just six minutes into her first World Cup start and it proved to be the decider in Sydney.<\/p>\n

However, a\u00a0serious-looking injury\u00a0to Barcelona midfielder Walsh dampened what was a positive, attacking performance from the Lionesses after a\u00a0struggling 1-0 win over Haiti\u00a0in their opening group match.<\/p>\n

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Walsh went down under little contact and immediately gestured to the dugout, appearing to say \u201cI\u2019ve done my knee\u201d. Visibly in pain, she was taken off on a stretcher after 38 minutes.<\/p>\n

The sight of an injured Walsh \u2013 arguably England\u2019s most crucial player \u2013 flattened the atmosphere in a Sydney Football Stadium dominated by Lionesses\u2019 supporters.<\/p>\n

Denmark capitalised on the change of mood, creating a chance for ex-Chelsea striker Pernille Harder which she scuffed wide, though England\u2019s half-time lead was deserved.<\/p>\n

James continued to impress throughout, providing the creativity and unpredictability that has excited fans in the Women\u2019s Super League this season, and she is more than deserving of a regular starting spot with England.<\/p>\n

She had chances in the first half either side of a header from Lucy Bronze which went over the bar, though Denmark pounced on defensive errors with Rikke Madsen and Janni Thomsen coming close.<\/p>\n

Denmark continued to search for an equaliser and almost found one when substitute Amalie Vangsgaard \u2013 who scored a 90th-minute winner over China \u2013 headed a cross against the post.<\/p>\n

But on the whole they did not test goalkeeper Mary Earps enough, while England had further chances through striker Alessia Russo and substitute Bethany England.<\/p>\n

England will be through to the last 16 if China fail to beat Haiti in the other Group D match, kicking off at 12:00 BST, while Denmark face Haiti in their final group match and can still qualify.<\/p>\n

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