Wiegman switches things up as England and Lauren James send emphatic World Cup message | OneFootball

Lauren James and Millie Bright were excellent as England beat China.

Haiti and Denmark gave England a real run for their money and Sarina Wiegman quite rightly made some tactical tweaks for her side’s final group stage game against China. It is safe to say they paid off…

Wiegman was without Keira Walsh, who was replaced by Manchester United’s Katie Zelem, and switched her formation to a 3-5-2, which allowed Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly to play as wing-backs. There is no debate that this role suits both players – even if Daly scores goals for fun up front for Aston Villa – and it has to be said this system is perfect for this group of players.

Furthermore, the England head coach’s decision to bring Lauren James into the starting XI for the Denmark game – in which she scored the only goal – was further vindicated. In the No.10 role, James scored two beauties (it should have been a hat-trick) and provided three assists in what was the performance of the tournament from a ridiculously-talented player.

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Against China, the Lionesses went 1-0 up after four minutes when Alessio Russo’s clever finish could not be stopped by China No.1 Yu Zhu, who stretched every inch of her body to stop the ball creeping into the back of the net. The goal was a sign of Millie Bright’s improvement in the tournament. On matchday one against Haiti, she was miles off the pace by her usual high standards. We knew she was going to have to grow into the tournament after a lengthy injury and she has done just that, and doing so before the conclusion of the group stage is a massive boost for England and Wiegman.

Bright won a tackle to get England up the pitch for the opening goal and she was massively influential in the second, confidently intercepting the ball, finding James, who slotted Lauren Hemp in on goal to double her side’s lead.

The Lionesses were playing with swagger and Bronze came very close to scoring from her preferred right-wing-back role, hitting the post with a header and then narrowly missing the target with the rebound. Daly was Cruyff-turning; Hemp making a mockery of the Chinese defence; and the fans were loving it. You know you are playing well when the Olés are out in the 38th minute.

After assisting two, James decided to score an absolute beauty, because why not? She did it again before half-time, sweeping the ball into the top corner with her left foot, only for it to be disallowed after an on-field review judged Bronze to be offside. It was a real shame, but it was game over going into the break.

England did not play as if the points were in the bag. They wanted more and more, and then a little bit more.

The only negative from Tuesday’s display was the fact Mary Earps conceded her first goal of the tournament. James Trafford could never. China scored a consolation from the penalty spot, which was a bad idea. They poked the bear and England’s ruthless streak came out until the final kick.

James scored again. Another joke of a finish. Left-footed. First-time volley. Top bins. What a bloody player.

Her third and final goal contribution came 77th minute when her long kick up the pitch was horrendously dealt with by Yu Zhu, who allowed substitute Chloe Kelly to put the European champions four goals up before Daly made it six with as many minutes remaining after a scramble in the box fell perfectly to her.

This performance from England was exactly what was needed after two indifferent performances to open their World Cup campaign. Russo – who benefitted from the support of Hemp up front – and Bright are growing into the tournament and seeing the latter’s contributions to the first two goals against China will make Wiegman feel a lot more comfortable going into the knockout stage.

Obviously, China did not do much to make England sweat on the day. In fact, their set-up allowed Wiegman’s women to thrive. There was a lack of pressure when out of possession and their narrow 4-4-2 benefitted Daly and Bronze on either flank and the lack of an out-and-out defensive midfielder was a huge reason why James managed to contribute to five of England’s six goals.

But this match was all about England, who had standout players all over the pitch and sent a message to the rest of the tournament by smashing six past the Asian champions. The 3-5-2 system has to be the one going forward, though it must be conceded that other teams will cause different problems when up against that formation.

It is on to the next round for England, who will not be facing Australia (thankfully) having won Group D. It is Nigeria – who helped Ireland get their first World Cup point on Monday – for Wiegman and her players next Monday in Brisbane.