James nets first World Cup goal as England defeat Denmark | OneFootball

Lauren James netted her first goal at a FIFA Women’s World Cup as England defeated Denmark 1-0 in Sydney this morning.

James scored the game’s only goal in the sixth minute with a wonderful curling strike from the edge of the box. It wasn’t all good news for England with midfielder Keira Walsh having to be stretchered off with a suspected knee injury later in the first half.

England started much brighter than they did in their opening game against Haiti and they broke the deadlock with their first shot on goal, a perfectly measured effort from James. The Lionesses continued to create opportunities after the goal but struggled to severely test Danish keeper Lene Christensen.

Denmark grew into the game as the first half went on and Rikke Marie Madsen went close to scoring with an effort that flew narrowly wide. Pernille Harder then charged towards goal before scuffing her shot at Mary Earps.

The opening period ended on a sour note with Walsh going down with a suspected knee injury. The player was stretchered off with her tournament seemingly having come to an end.

England had to show plenty of grit to get the job done in the second half. It wasn’t pretty with few clear goalscoring opportunities being created. Ella Toone looped a shot wide before Alessia Russo drilled an effort off target later in the half. Earps then had to push the ball to safety from a goal-bound cross before substitute Beth England headed narrowly wide at the other end.

The Lionesses survived a major scare in the final minutes when Denmark struck the post. Amalie Vangsgaard got her head on a cross but thankfully for England, the ball cannoned off the post and bounced away.

England will complete the group stage with a fixture against China on Tuesday while Denmark will take on Haiti.