England vs China LIVE: Women’s World Cup result and reaction as dominant Lionesses run riot

Lauren James shone again with two fine goals as England put in their best performance of the Women’s World Cup so far to sweep aside China 6-1 and march into the last 16.

Alessia Russo gave the European champions the perfect start with a goal in the fourth minute before Lauren Hemp and James added two more to give England a comfortable lead at the break at Hindmarsh Stadium. Asian Champions China, who exit in the group stage for the first time in eight editions of the World Cup, came out firing in the second half and got a goal back through a Wang Shuang penalty.

James grabbed her third goal, however, before Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly also found the net to give England an emphatic victory as they head off to Brisbane to play Nigeria on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, the United States survived a mighty scare against Portugal to narrowly reach the last-16. The defending champions needed to avoid defeat but were inches away from crashing out when Portugal substitute Ana Capeta struck the post in stoppage time.

Relive all the action as the Lionesses thump China:

England vs China - Women’s World Cup 2023

• England play China in final Group D match, live on ITV 1

• The Lionesses hammer China 6-1 to top Group D and reach last-16

• 84’ GOAL! - Daly gets her goal in the closing minutes (CHN 1-6 ENG)

• 77’ GOAL! - Kelly comes off the bench to add a fifth (CHN 1-5 ENG)

• 66’ GOAL! - James volleys home from the left side of the box (CHN 1-4 ENG)

• 57’ GOAL! - Shuang Wang converts a penalty after Lucy Bronze handball (CHN 1-3 ENG)

• 41’ GOAL! - James whips a shot to the bottom corner from the edge of the box (CHN 0-3 ENG)

• 26’ GOAL! - Hemp slots home England’s second from inside the box (CHN 0-2 ENG)

• 4’ GOAL! - Russo scores early to give Lionessses the lead (CHN 0-1 ENG)

• USA narrowly reach last-16 after 0-0 draw with Portugal; Netherlands thrash Vietnam 7-0

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

14:14 , Mike Jones

Lauren James has three goals and three assists already in this World Cup for England - as well as having a goal ruled out today.

James has been the star performer for the Lionesses over the last two matches and has now guaranteed herself a place in the starting line-up.

Sarina Wiegman’s brave England switch solves key Women’s World Cup problem

14:11 , Mike Jones

Rip it up and start again: if Keira Walsh’s injury spelled the end of something at the Women’s World Cup, it only did for England’s starting formation. Against China, Sarina Wiegman made her most dramatic change as Lionesses manager yet, switching to a 3-5-2 system to counter the blow of losing their key midfielder. In doing so, Wiegman unlocked England’s best performance of not just this World Cup, but in months.

The Lionesses looked like themselves again, and while England’s 6-1 win against China made sure of their progress to the last-16 as Group D winners, as much focus will be on how Wiegman has recalibrated and recharged her side ahead of the knockout stages. After two 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark there was an element of danger coming into the decider, but from the opening moments the tempo and fluidity of England’s performance erased doubts.

England have done so while veering drastically from the course they set at the Euros, where Wiegman named the same starting line-up in all six matches. But this is a new tournament and England are facing a very different challenge, which Wiegman has reacted to decisively. Wiegman could have chosen the easy option, to bring in Laura Coombs for Walsh and stick with England’s 4-3-3. Instead, Wiegman’s tweak has sparked England into life.

Sarina Wiegman’s brave England switch solves key Women’s World Cup problem

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

14:08 , Mike Jones

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

14:07 , Mike Jones

Full-time!

90+11 mins: The final whistle goes and England complete a mightily impressive victory over China. They finish top of Group D and head into the knockout rounds.

They’ve finally turned up at the World Cup with their characteristic attacking verve. Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James (x2), Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly all got on the scoresheet.

They’ll now but confident of scoring more and the Lionesses will be fancying a deep run through the tournament.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

14:02 , Mike Jones

90+7 mins: Rachel Daly is taken out deep in her own half. England will be annoyed about this amount of added time, they won’t want to pick up any injuries now that this game is over.

Denmark have scored twice against Haiti. They’re winning the other Group D match 2-0 and will be going through to the last-16 too.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

13:57 , Mike Jones

90+3 mins: Three minutes of added time have already come and gone. England are looking comfortable, they’re knocking the ball around with ease and look very comfortable in this shape.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

13:55 , Mike Jones

90 mins: 11 minutes of added time to play before this game is done. There’s been quite a few VAR checks for all these goals.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-6 England

13:50 , Mike Jones

86 mins: The goal does stand! The VAR was looking for potential offsides and may an obstruction in the build-up but nothing comes from the review and Rachel Daly has her goal.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 1-6 England (Daly, 84’)⚽️

13:48 , Mike Jones

84 mins: Another one!

Chloe Kelly does brilliantly over on the right side of the pitch to keep the ball in play. She flicks it into the middle of the box and finds Laura Coombs who turns the ball to back post.

Rachel Daly is there and pokes it home.

There’s a VAR check going on though, this one may not stand.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-5 England

13:46 , Mike Jones

83 mins: Lauren James’ fabulous night is over for England. She was brilliant this evening and takes in the applause as Sarina Wiegman brings on Ella Toone for the final minutes of the game.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-5 England

13:44 , Mike Jones

80 mins: This performance from England will reverberate through the tournament.

They were one of the pre-tournament favourites to go deep in the competition but injuries and a couple of average performances had many people scratching their heads over how far they could go.

These five - maybe more? - goals will feed into the squad and give them a lot of confidence going forward. 10 minutes to play in Adelaide.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 1-5 England (Kelly, 77’)⚽️

13:41 , Mike Jones

77 mins: Five for England!

A simple long ball in behind from Lauren James comes over the top as Chloe Kelly makes her run through the lines. Yu Zhu comes flying out of her penalty area but makes a hash of the clearance.

She tries to control it with her chest but knocks the ball too far away. Kelly takes over, gets to the ball and slots it into the open net.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-4 England

13:39 , Mike Jones

75 mins: Millie Bright fires a diagonal pass over to the right wing where Niamh Charles brings the ball under control. She’s got big shoes to fill in replacing Lucy Bronze but is a useful wingback and offers plenty going forward for England.

Charles slots the ball into the box for Laura Coombs but she can’t control the ball and knocks it over the byline.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-4 England

13:35 , Mike Jones

72 mins: Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp are all taken off by Sarina Wiegman as she makes a triple England substitution.

In their place come Beth England, Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-4 England

13:33 , Mike Jones

69 mins: Rachel Daly is bounced off the ball just outside the Chinese box and loses possession to Chengshu Wu. Wu looks to get forward as Daly takes her out trying to recover the loose ball.

Free kick to China.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 1-4 England (James, 66’)⚽️

13:31 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Lauren James only scores bangers!

She whips a cross in from the left wing but can’t find a teammate. England collect the loose ball though as Jess Carter steps up the pitch.

She plays a one-two with Lucy Bronze then hangs the ball over to the back post. James has drifted into the area and volleys a shot back across goal, she nestles it into the far side netting and restores England’s three goal lead.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-3 England

13:25 , Mike Jones

Why was Lauren James goal against China controversially disallowed?

England look on course to cruise through to the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup having gone 3-0 up at half-time against China.

Having taken the lead through Alessia Russo’s well-taken finish, the Lionesses doubled their advantage through Lauren Hemp before Lauren James added a third after a wonderful-worked set-piece routine.

James, who scored in England’s 1-0 victory against Denmark, thought she had added her second of the game and England’s fourth in first-half added time when the Chelsea winger curled home a superb finish from outside the box with her left foot.

Having celebrated with her team-mates, however, James had the misfortune of seeing her goal chalked off after a VAR check due to an offside in the build-up from Lucy Bronze.

Why was Lauren James goal disallowed at Women’s World Cup?

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 1-3 England

13:24 , Mike Jones

60 mins: The handball decision was quite harsh. She was pushed in the back by Mary Earps at the time the ball arrived. The referee judges that Bronze’s arms were away from her body, the ITV commentators disagree with that assessment.

The ball definitely struck her on the arm so a penalty is, probably, the correct decision. A yellow card for Bronze is pretty harsh though.

China are growing in confidence now though. England need to stay switched on.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 1-3 England (Shuang Wang, 57’)⚽️

13:21 , Mike Jones

57 mins: Wang Shuang steps up for China. She knocks her effort low and down the middle as Mary Earps dives to the left. China pull one back and England concede for the first time in the tournament.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

13:20 , Mike Jones

Penalty to China!

55 mins: The corner ball is hooked into the front of the six-yard box and is flicked on by Lina Yang. Lucy Bronze is covering the near post and the ball hits her on the left arm just around the elbow.

VAR call the referee over to the monitor, she watches the replays and decides that China have a penalty. Bronze is also booked for the offence.

That’s harsh.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

13:17 , Mike Jones

53 mins: Save! Chengshu Wu lets fly with a shot from outside the box and curls a fine effort to the far bottom corner. Mary Earps leaps to her right and manages to push the ball wide of the post.

China win a corner.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

13:15 , Mike Jones

51 mins: Laura Coombs tries to get herself into the game with a couple of nice touches. England win a free kick after a handball and Alex Greenwood will put this one itno the box.

She whips it in looking for Lucy Bronze but the pass just goes over the right-back’s head.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

13:12 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Qiaozhu Chen lifts a cross into the England box but it’s snatched up by Mary Earps who hasn’t had much to do in all honesty.

China need to score next if they want to remain in this game.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

13:09 , Mike Jones

Second half!

Laura Coombs replaces Georgia Stanway for England at the break. Stanway was on a yellow card and Sarina Wiegman is deciding not to risk her missing the last-16 match.

Carli Lloyd slams former teammates as USA almost crash out of Women’s World Cup

13:06 , Mike Jones

Former United States women’s national team player Carli Lloyd labelled USA’s performance against Portugal “lacklustre” and “uninspiring” as they almost crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages.

The defending champions needed to avoid defeat but were inches away from elimination when Portugal substitute Ana Capeta struck the post in stoppage time.

The USA held on to scrape a 0-0 draw, enough to secure progress to the last-16 while knocking Portugal out, but the four-time winners missed out on top spot in Group E with Lloyd highly critical of the display from her former side.

Carli Lloyd slams former teammates as USA almost crash out of Women’s World Cup

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

13:02 , Mike Jones

Following Alessia Russo’s opener, England are now the first side in Women’s World Cup history to score at least once in 16 consecutive matches.

The Lionesses added two more thanks to Lauren Hemp and Lauren James before James had a second goal chalked off right at the end of the first half.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

12:58 , Mike Jones

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

12:54 , Mike Jones

Half-time!

45+8 mins: What a performance from England. They’ve blown China away in this first half and goals from Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James have given them a commanding lead in this final group game.

England will be going through as the group winners but they’ll want to add more goals before this match is done.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

12:53 , Mike Jones

45+7 mins: Hold up. There’s a VAR check going on for a possible offside maybe?

When the ball is played into the box initially, Lucy Bronze is clearly in an offside position. When the ball is played down, Bronze is onside and it looks as though the ball came off a defender.

The referee makes her decision though and England’s fourth goal is ruled out!

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 0-4 England (James, 45+4’)⚽️

12:51 , Mike Jones

45+4 mins: Lauren James just scores bangers!

She puts a cross in from the right side but can’t find a teammate. The ball drops to Lucy Bronze who rolls it back to James. James skirts along the edge of the box and lifts her shot into the far top corner.

What a strike. England have four!

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-3 England

12:44 , Mike Jones

44 mins: England only needed a point from this game to finish top of Group D. They’re going to pick up all three, this has been their best performance for the tournament so far.

China haven’t been at the races. They’ve failed to react to England’s formation and are being broken apart so easily at times.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 0-3 England (James, 41)⚽️

12:42 , Mike Jones

41 mins: Lauren James only scores bangers.

England win a free kick over to the right side of the penalty area. Alex Greenwood knocks it to the edge of the box where James runs onto a first time shot and whips it across the goal and into the bottom corner!

Lovely finish, great goal.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-2 England

12:38 , Mike Jones

38 mins: Lucy Bronze links up with Georgia Stanway on the right wing to set up a cross. The ball flies over everyone’s head but Rachel Daly recycles it and picks out Alex Greenwood.

Stanway drifts back into the box on the right side and waits for the cross to come back in. It does.

She leaps for the header and floats a shot towards goal but Yu Zhu manages to tip the effort over the crossbar. That was a close one too!

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-2 England

12:34 , Mike Jones

35 mins: POST!

Rachel Daly receives the ball on the left side of the pitch and floats a wonderful cross into the box. Lucy Bronze arrives from the opposite wing, leaps at the ball and powers a headed effort towards the far post. Her effort is a great one and she rattles the upright!

The rebound comes back to Bronze who guides it to the opposite corner but she’s under pressure and knocks it wide of the target. England are closing in on a third goal here.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-2 England

12:31 , Mike Jones

32 mins: Chance! A switch of play comes over to Rachel Daly who nods the ball down to Lauren Hemp on the edge of the box. Hemp spins around one defender then unleashes a shot only for Wei Yao to get across and block the effort.

The offside flag then goes up against the England forward.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-2 England

12:29 , Mike Jones

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-2 England

12:29 , Mike Jones

29 mins: China win a corner that Shuang Wang comes across to take. They need to score three goals now to keep themselves in the World Cup.

The corner comes curling into the box but Millie Bright leaps high and nods it away.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 0-2 England (Hemp, 26’)⚽️

12:28 , Mike Jones

26 mins: Millie Bright steps into midfield and recovers the ball after giving it away. She carries it past the halfway line before flicking it over to Lauren James.

James spins and threads a fine pass in behind the back line where Lauren Hemp collects the ball. She touches it into the box then fizzes home a side-footed effort with her left foot to open up a two-goal cushion for the Lionesses!

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:26 , Mike Jones

25 mins: Lauren James loses possession under pressure from a cluster on Chinese shirts. China attempt to kick a counter-attack into gear and work it over to Shaung Wang on the right side.

Alex Greenwood commits up the pitch to tackle and wins the ball, knocking it out of play for a throw in.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:23 , Mike Jones

22 mins: China get clear of Lucy Bronze on the left side and send the ball into the box. Jess Carter gets her head to the first ball and knocks it at Linyan Zhang who seemingly handles the ball.

The referee lets play go on and England need Lauren James to put in a last ditch tackle on the edge of the box to stop a shot from range.

The ball deflects out for a throw in.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:20 , Mike Jones

19 mins: Mengwen Li clatters into Rachel Daly and gives away a free kick in a dangerous area. It’s inside the final third on the left side.

Alex Greenwood and Katie Zelem stand over the ball before Lauren Hemp jogs over to provide a third option. It’s a training ground move that sees Zelem knock it short to the edge of the box.

A loose pass then come back to Georgia Stanway who flicks it out to Lucy Bronze. Bronze’s cross come into the box but gets easily cleared away.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:17 , Mike Jones

16 mins: China have always made it out of their group whenever they’ve played in the Women’s World Cup. If they lose here, they’re eliminated from the tournament.

It’s been all England so far too. The Lionesses are controlling this match.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:14 , Mike Jones

13 mins: With England in possession, Georgia Stanway and Lauren James move up the pitch with Katie Zelem sitting in a holding possession.

Zelem collects the ball and threads a fine pass through to Alessia Russo who bombs in behind on the inside left. Russo curls a lovely pass into the opposite side of the box where Lauren Hemp arrives and lifts a prodded effort over the crossbar!

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:11 , Mike Jones

10 mins: England are driving down the right side through Lucy Bronze and Lauren James. When they switch the play, Alessia Russo moves out of the central area to collect the ball wide.

She darts past the right-back and whips a cross into the middle. Yu Zhu tries to come for the ball but misses it and fortunately for China is doesn’t find a Lioness.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-1 England

12:09 , Mike Jones

7 mins: England are controlling possession and are passing it slickly. The new formation of 3-5-2 seems to be letting them flow better.

Lauren James rides a tackle on the edge of the box and looks to slip in Lauren Hemp. The pass is blocked but rolls out for an England throw in.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: GOAL! China 0-1 England (Russo, 4’)⚽️

12:06 , Mike Jones

4 mins: Millie Bright puts in a strong tackle to cut short a China attack and England transition rapidly. They send the ball out to Alessia Russo on the left side.

She threads the ball into the box for Lauren Hemp who chips it across to Lucy Bronze. Bronze is under pressure but manages to cut the ball back to Lauren James on the edge of the area.

James nods it down to Russo who’s arrived from the wing. Russo takes and touch then nestles a lovely finish past Yu Zhu to put England ahead!

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-0 England

12:04 , Mike Jones

3 mins: China are no pushovers. They’ll make England work today and have the quality up top to pile pressure on the back three of Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood.

If England can score first, that should settle any nerves.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China 0-0 England

12:01 , Mike Jones

Kick off!

England get the game underway. They send the ball to the defence and look to be set up with a back three. Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly have jogged out wide.

It looks like the 3-5-2 formation.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:56 , Mike Jones

Here come the teams.

The players head out onto the pitch at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide. The Lionesses know that if they avoid defeat they will be through to the last-16.

The national anthems are sung, the crowd is loud.

Kick off is up next...

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:53 , Mike Jones

Post-match thoughts from England boss, Sarina Wiegman who told ITV:

“We start with our style of play, then we have a plan, then we put the players in place and come up with a starting line up. Every partnership in the team is important, but we all know Katie [Zelem] can connect defence to attack.

“You’ll see when we start [what roles Lauren James and Rachel Daly will play], but we made a couple of changes. We look at ourselves, then the opponent, then we look at the plan tactically.

“They have an organised team and have done well. They can go direct but want a possession game high up the pitch. We are wary, but they should be for us too.”

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:50 , Mike Jones

The Lionesses have won each of their last seven group-stage matches, keeping a clean sheet in their last four such games.

In both the games in 2023, goalkeeper Mary Earps has been called upon to make some big saves.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:46 , Mike Jones

England have scored in each of their last 15 matches at the Women’s World Cup. They’ve netted 25 goals across those matches in a run that stretches back to 2015.

Should they score against China today, they would become the first team to score in 16 consecutive matches in this competition.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:42 , Mike Jones

England have won their last group game in each of the previous five editions of the Women’s World Cup. A victory today would see them top the group and progress with a 100% win rate.

Meanwhile, China have never lost their final group stage game at the Women’s World Cup (five wins, two draws). However, those two draws both came in their last two appearances in the competition.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:38 , Mike Jones

China have failed to score in each of their last four Women’s World Cup matches against European sides since beating the Netherlands in the 2015 edition of the tournament.

Will the net one against the Lionesses today?

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:34 , Mike Jones

This will be the sixth meeting between China and England across all competitions and the first since October 2015 in the Dewellbon Cup which China won 2-1.

The Asian side have lost just one of their five games against the Lionesses to date (three wins, one draw), a 2-1 defeat in April 2015.

England can cope without Keira Walsh – here is how Sarina Wiegman can adjust

11:30 , Mike Jones

“When Keira Walsh got injured, there was a collective groan of sympathy for a world-class player missing the rest of the tournament, but also for the rest of England’s squad. They must now deal with the loss of Walsh, the deep-lying playmaker who knits the team’s approach play together and so brilliantly patrols the space in front of the back four.

“Walsh is probably Sarina Wiegman’s most important player, certainly in the absence of Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, and England have now lost all three of the players who led them to European Championship glory.”

Here’s Kelly Smith’s latest column on how the Lionesses can win without Keira Walsh:

Kelly Smith: England can cope without Keira Walsh — here is how Lionesses can adjust

England provide Keira Walsh injury update in Women’s World Cup boost

11:26 , Mike Jones

England’s Keira Walsh did not suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Denmark at the Women’s World Cup and could feature later in the tournament after the Lionesses confirmed the midfielder will remain with the squad.

Walsh was stretchered off in the Lionesses’ 1-0 win against Denmark on Friday and there were fears that the 26-year-old had become the latest star in women’s football to suffer an ACL tear – with England captain Leah Williamson and forward Beth Mead among several star names to be ruled out of the World Cup due to the injury.

The Barcelona midfielder was left on crutches after stretching for the ball and catching her studs on the turf, but a scan yesterday afternoon revealed that the injury was not as bad as it first looked and there was no serious ligament damage.

England provide Keira Walsh injury update in Women’s World Cup boost

Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

11:22 , Mike Jones

The race for the Women’s World Cup golden boot is taking shape as the group stages continue in Australia and New Zealand.

Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa bagged a brace in the 4-0 victory over Spain to move top of the top-scorer standings, with Brazil’s Ary Borges among those on three goals after hitting the first hat-trick of the tournament in her nation’s thrashing of Panama.

If two or more players finish on the same number of goals, the golden boot will be determined by assists and then on minutes played.

The USA’s Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe and England’s Ellen White were joint top scorers four years ago after all finishing on six goals. Rapinoe and Morgan also had three assists, but Rapinoe took the golden boot having scored her goals in less minutes.

Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Group D finale

11:17 , Mike Jones

How does each team qualify?

Haiti

- Haiti must beat Denmark and hope China lose to England. It would then come down to goal difference, with three teams (Haiti, Denmark and China) all level on three points.

Therefore, if Haiti win by more than one goal and China lose, they are guaranteed to go through.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Group D finale

11:14 , Mike Jones

How does each team qualify?

China

- China will go through if they win and Denmark draw or lose.

- If China match Denmark’s result of a win and a draw then it comes down to goal difference.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Group D finale

11:11 , Mike Jones

How does each team qualify?

Denmark

- Denmark will go through if they win and China draw or lose.

- If Denmark and China finish with the same result, it will go down to goal difference and then goals scored in their final group match. They currently have identical goal records after losing a match 1-0 and winning a match 1-0. Denmark will also go through ahead of England if the Lionesses lose to China by more than one goal.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Group D finale

11:08 , Mike Jones

How does each team qualify?

England

- Will qualify with a win or draw against China, which would also confirm top spot in Group D and a last-16 tie against Nigeria.

- England can still qualify with a defeat against China, but they require Denmark to lose or draw. If England lose and Denmark fail to win, the Lionesses will finish second if China overtake them on goal difference.

- If England lose and Denmark win, the Lionesses would need to finish with a better goal difference than one of China or Denmark. England therefore cannot lose by more than one goal.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs China

11:05 , Mike Jones

Group D results and upcoming fixtures

There hasn’t been many goals so far in Group D with all four on the fixtures ending in 1-0 wins. England have won both of their matches (against Haiti and Denmark) while Denmark have one win (versus China) and China have one win (versus Haiti).

England 1-0 Haiti

Denmark 1-0 China

England 1-0 Denmark

Haiti 0-1 China

England vs China (12pm BST)

Denmark vs Haiti (12pm BST)

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England

11:04 , Mike Jones

Sarina Wiegman has made a few adjustments to her starting line-up for this match against China which could also point to a change in formation.

Jess Carter is back in defence and will slot in alongside Millie Bright. Should England maintain a 4-2-3-1 that would push Alex Greewood to left-back.

Katie Zelem gets her first start as she replaces the injured Keira Walsh and will partner Georgia Stanway in midfield, while Lauren Hemp returns to the the XI.

There are rumours that the Lionesses could try out a 3-5-2. In this case Bright, Carter and Greenwood would play the centre-back roles.

In midfield Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly will slot in as the wingbacks with Stanway, Zelem and Lauren James as the midfield trio. Hemp and Alessia Russo will be in the forward line.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: China vs England line-ups

10:59 , Mike Jones

China XI: Zhu; Li, Shuang Wang, Wei Yao, Shanshan Wang; Yang, Lou, Chen, Lingwei Yao; Wu, Linyan Zhang.

England XI: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Carter, Greenwood; Zelem, Stanway; Daly, James, Hemp; Russo

Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs China

10:57 , Mike Jones

What is the team news?

England midfielder Keira Walsh has been ruled out of the match against China, but could play later in the World Cup after the Lionesses confirmed she had not suffered an ACL injury.

England have a fully fit squad elsewhere. Sarina Wiegman made two changes for the win against Haiti, with Lauren James and Rachel Daly set to keep their places.

Laura Coombs replaced Walsh when she was stretchered off against Denmark and could start, with Georgia Stanway moving back to the holding role.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:54 , Mike Jones

Former Spain midfielder, Vicky Losada, is worried about how the USA will fare against Sweden in the next round. Speaking on ITV 1 she said:

“I think Portugal’s style was one of the worst to play against for USA. Sweden is a bit similar to them. They need to analyse, bring their confidence up.

“It’s great to see how the tournament is changing, how the small teams are getting better and I think it’s amazing for women’s football in general.”

Meanwhile, former Scotland midfielder, Kim Little, spoke about the USA’s struggles against Portugal adding: “It is unusual for the USA to be in this position and credit to Portugal for their performance.

“They tired a little in the second half and they got the chance at the end. I really enjoyed watching them.”

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:50 , Mike Jones

Portugal end their first World Cup campaign with a clean sheet from two of their three games.

Only Switzerland and Japan (both with three) have more in this summer’s competition. It’s a heartbreaking way to go out of the tournament but the US pipped them right at the end.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:47 , Mike Jones

Alex Morgan came out for the post-match interview and gave her thoughts on the US’s campaign so far.

“It’s tough to be second, we wanted to go through first,” she told ITV. “This team gave everything, we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

“In the last few minutes, we had to hold it down and get the result to move on. It’s not the result we wanted but we move forward. It’s just not going in the back of the net.

“We have so many corners and we have so many opportunities, we get the crosses. It’s just unlucky. It’s about following through with shots and making the right decisions in front of goal.”

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:44 , Mike Jones

Group E standings.

After a 7-0 mauling of Vietnam, the Netherlands finish top of Group E and make it into the last-16 as group winners with seven points.

The USA come second on five. Their draw against Portugal was enough to keep them ahead of the European side with end their campaign on four points.

Vietnam round out the group with three defeats from three and a -8 goal difference.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:42 , Mike Jones

Who will the USA play next?

Now that the world champions are into the knockout rounds we can speculate who they’ll face in the last-16. The most likely opponent is Sweden.

They are currently top of Group G with two wins from two. Italy have a chance of beating them to the top spot but will need to heavily defeat South Africa and hope Argentina beat Sweden.

The Netherlands are probably going to take on Italy with the US facing Sweden.

That match will be a belter.

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:40 , Mike Jones

The United States are now undefeated in their last 18 games at the World Cup, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition. Can they go all the way again?

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA

10:38 , Mike Jones

There were no celebrations from the USA at full-time. They knew that they’ve gotten away with one and came mere inches away from heading out of the World Cup.

It hasn’t been the dominant campaign that everyone was expecting from the current champions. They’ve got plenty to work on before their next match.

In Keira Walsh, England lose the one player who is impossible to replace

10:35 , Ben Fleming

“I’ve done my knee.”

Keira Walsh knew it immediately, and then came the words to devastate the Lionesses and England’s chances of winning the World Cup as well. That’s how significant a blow losing Walsh is for any amount of time, let alone the tournament and potentially beyond.

If England had one irreplaceable player, it would be Walsh. If Sarina Wiegman could have chosen any star to protect for the rest of the World Cup, it would have been their holding midfielder and pass master.

Walsh may yet still make an unlikely return later in the tournament but she will certainly be missing today against China. What kind of player are they losing? Click below to find out:

Why Keira Walsh is irreplaceable for England

Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs China

10:30 , Mike Jones

Group D standings

England currently sit top of Group D with one match left to play. They take on China who, realistically, need to win in order to progress as Denmark will likely defeat bottom placed Haiti in the other match.

Here’s how the group looks at the minute:

1. England - 6 points (+2 goal difference)

2. Denmark - 3 points (+0)

3. China - 3 points (+0)

4. Haiti - 0 points (-2)

Darts, colouring in and 1,000 bags of Yorkshire tea: Inside the Lionesses’ World Cup den

10:25 , Ben Fleming

The central coast beaches of Terrigal are a far cry from the metropolitan hustle and bustle of nearby Sydney, but they provide a fitting “home away from home” for the Lionesses as they embark on their Women’s World Cup campaign.

This quiet town, about 51km (32 miles) north of Australia’s largest city, is an environment in which the team can free themselves from the stresses of a major tournament.

It’s the first time the FA have ever allowed the media access to an England base camp and Kay Cossington, the FA’s women’s technical director, and Anja van Ginhoven, England’s women’s general manager, are excited to reveal what they’ve delivered for the squad.

Take a look inside the Lionesses’ World Cup camp below:

Lionesses’ den: Inside England’s 2023 World Cup base in Terrigal

Elsewhere in the Women’s World Cup

10:15 , Ben Fleming

If you are just tuning in now, the final matches in Group G have just wrapped up, and what a tense final few moments it was as the United States survived a mighty scare against Portugal to advance to the knockout stages. The defending champions needed to avoid defeat but were inches away from crashing out when Portugal substitute Ana Capeta struck the post in stoppage time.

The USA held on to scrape a 0-0 draw, enough to secure progress to the last-16 while knocking Portugal out, but the four-time winners missed out on top spot in Group E. That position was claimed by the Netherlands, who thrashed Vietnam 7-0. It means the USA will face the winners of Group G in the last-16, which is likely to be Sweden.

England prepare to face China in Adelaide

10:05 , Jack Rathborn

England vs China - all the key info

09:55 , Ben Fleming

When is England vs China?

The match will kick off at 12pm BST on Tuesday 1 August at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.

How can I watch it?

England’s match against China will be shown on ITV 1 and on ITV X, with coverage starting at 11:15am.

What do Lionesses need to do to qualify for last 16 of Women’s World Cup?

09:45 , Jack Rathborn

England will qualify for the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup as long as they avoid defeat to China in the finale of Group D.

The Lionesses have opened their World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins over Haiti and Denmark to take control of their fate.

But China’s late win against Haiti last time out means there is still work for Sarina Wiegman’s side to do - with either Australia or Nigeria waiting in the last-16.

England have only lost once under Wiegman but will be without key midfielder Keira Walsh for their final group fixture.

What do England need to qualify for Women’s World Cup last-16?

England can cope without Keira Walsh – here is how Sarina Wiegman can adjust

09:34 , Jack Rathborn

hen Keira Walsh got injured, there was a collective groan of sympathy for a world-class player missing the rest of the tournament, but also for the rest of England’s squad. They must now deal with the loss of Walsh, the deep-lying playmaker who knits the team’s approach play together and so brilliantly patrols the space in front of the back four.

Walsh is probably Sarina Wiegman’s most important player, certainly in the absence of Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, and England have now lost all three of the players who led them to European Championship glory.

I have a lot of empathy for this team. In 2002, Faye White, Katie Chapman and I were all out. White had an ACL injury and my leg was broken. Chapman was pregnant. At the time, we were all integral players for England and were trying to qualify for the World Cup. In the group stages, we finished second to Germany in the group which meant we went into a play-off system. We beat Iceland over two legs and then had to play France to see who would clinch the final spot for the World Cup. We lost both games. I remember thinking that the three of us being out was a driving factor to not qualifying for the 2003 World Cup. It was devastating to watch France progress through the tournament and England not have any involvement.

Kelly Smith: England can cope without Keira Walsh — here is how Lionesses can adjust