Ruthless England demolish China, Australia to play Denmark in round of 16

England marched into the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with a dominant 6-1 win over China on Tuesday night in Adelaide.

Unbeaten England finished top of Group D – ahead of Denmark which secured six points – and will play Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday. Australia, who finished top of Group B, will play the Danes in sudden-death action in Sydney that night.

The Matildas have a recent history against Denmark, beating them 3-1 in a friendly last October in what at the time marked their first win over a top-20 opponent in over a year. Australia also have World Cup history against the Danes, losing 5-0 in Sweden in their first World Cup appearance in 1995.

There will be fresh intrigue whether the Matildas and coach Tony Gustavsson will unleash Sam Kerr in a do-or-die match on Monday, after the star striker suffered a calf injury on World Cup eve, forcing her out of Australia’s three group games.

For England, Lauren James shone again with two fine goals as they put in their best performance of the World Cup so far.

Alessia Russo gave the European champions the perfect start with a goal in the fourth minute and Lauren Hemp and James added two more to give England a comfortable lead at the break at Hindmarsh Stadium.

England’s Lauren James scored twice to help her side to a 6-1 victory over China.Credit: Reuters

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.

Denmark overcome Haiti to book place in knockout round

Denmark captain Pernille Harder converted a first-half penalty to register her maiden Women’s World Cup goal, setting up a 2-0 victory over Haiti.

The result ends a long drought for the Danes, who last advanced to the knockout stage in 1995.

Denmark started with a bang and remained undeterred after a third-minute goal by defender Simone Boye was ruled offside by VAR.

Haiti midfielder Dayana Pierre-Louis conceded a penalty for handball in the 21st minute, which gave Harder her moment, coolly slotting the ball in the bottom-left corner from the spot.

The Bayern Munich player could have had two more, with a 45th minute effort ruled offside and an 83rd minute header disallowed after forward Signe Bruun was found to have fouled the diminutive Caribbean goalkeeper Kerly Theus outside the box.

Pernille Harder of Denmark scores for her side in their 2-0 win over Haiti.Credit: Getty Images

Haiti, ranked 55th in the world, showed great spirit in search of an equaliser, dominating periods after the break, but ultimately the experience of the 18th-ranked Danes shone through and substitute Sanne Troelsgaard sealed the result in stoppage time.

Haiti end their first World Cup campaign winless from three games.

Cup champions US given almighty scare against Portugal

The width of an Eden Park goalpost is all that has kept the United States in the Women’s World Cup.

The reigning champions were given an almighty scare in their 0-0 draw with Portugal on Tuesday night, a match they largely controlled but almost let slip.

Portugal’s Ana Borges is tackled by the United States’ Sophia Smith during their 0-0 draw.Credit: AP

Portugal substitute Ana Capeta smashed a 91st-minute effort onto the post when a goal would have eliminated the two-time reigning champions.

Instead, the world No.1s limped into the round of 16 at the expense of the first-timers, who were brave and on another night might have upended world football’s order.

Capeta’s moment was so huge that half of the Portuguese bench jumped up ready to celebrate a famous victory.

“I swear, I truly believed the goal would be in that moment,” coach Francisco Neto said.

“Unfortunately we don’t win and we go home. But our girls were very brave and they made an amazing game today.”

Portugal had another stoppage time chance when Alyssa Naeher flapped at a floating ball from a deep free kick, which drifted just wide.

“We are really very sad about the result,” said Jessica Silva, who also scuffed an early attempt which could have proved decisive.

“Don’t forget about us. Please realise what Portugal has achieved.”

The Portuguese collapsed on the ground in despair at full time while the Americans looked sheepish after their performance.

“It’s not the result we wanted,” striker Alex Morgan said.

“We missed some big chances. I did as well. We own that.

“Now it’s coming back together, knowing we have all the pieces to make it all the way.”

The result means the US qualified in second place in Group E, trailing the Netherlands who thumped Vietnam 7-0 in Dunedin on Tuesday.

A return of five points is the Americans’ worst group-stage performance at a Women’s World Cup, failing to top their group for just the second time.

It just didn’t quite click in Auckland for the USWNT who are yet to impress in New Zealand.

The result means the US will face the winners of Group G - most likely Sweden - on Sunday in the round of 16.

Should the Scandinavians avoid defeat against Argentina as expected, the world No.1s will face the world No.3s in a blockbuster Melbourne meeting.

Reuters, AAP with Scott Spits

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