FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: England on verge of Round of 16 qualification with 1-0 win over Denmark in Group D
World Cup debutant Lauren James scored the winner as Keira Walsh suffered worrying injury in England's 1-0 win over Denmark.
European Champions England took one step closer to Round of 16 qualification at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Denmark on Friday (28 July) in Sydney.
England manager Sarina Wiegman gave 21-year-old Lauren James (6’) her first-ever World Cup start and was rewarded for doing so when the Chelsea striker found the back of the net within the first ten minutes, scoring the only goal of the game and all but confirming England’s qualification to the next round.
The result, however, was somewhat overshadowed by the injury of Keira Walsh.
The Barcelona midfielder went down in the middle of the pitch with ten minutes to go until half-time.
In visible distress, Walsh immediately ushered on the England medical staff as she appeared to say, “I've done my knee.”
The 26-year-old was stretchered off after alerting medical staff that she couldn’t continue, but the impact clearly hindered England’s confidence, making them look like a different team from the one that started with such spark.
Denmark grew into the game as the second half progressed, taking advantage of a vulnerable England defence.
A change in England’s setup injected life into the Lionesses, with Bethany England getting her first minutes of the tournament, but it wasn’t enough to stop a Danish attack from hitting the bar in the 88th minute.
England were lucky to hang on to a risky 1-0 lead, visibly impacted by the loss of Walsh, but the performance was enough to see them stay clear at the top of Group D with one round of games remaining, and needing just to avoid defeat in their final match against People's Republic of China to guarantee progress to the knockout stages.
Olympics.com takes a look at the biggest talking points from England 1-0 Denmark.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Lauren James (4th L) of England celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Lauren James takes England to another level
After a glittering season in the Women’s Super League with Chelsea, Lauren James earned herself a well deserved place in Sarina Weigman’s squad for this summer.
And now, the rest of the world has finally seen what she is capable of.
Just six minutes into the game, Rachel Daly found James in plenty of space outside the box.
With incredible composure, the 21-year-old turns and releases an incredible strike that whistles straight past Lene Christensen into the bottom right hand corner.
Not only did the goal put England on the brink of Round of 16 qualification, but it superbly reiterated James’ value to the Lionesses.
At just 21 years of age, James’ prospect knows no bounds as she offers Sarina Wiegman a variety of attacking options in front of goal.
“It’s a dream I’ve been thinking about but most importantly I was glad to help the team win,” she told the BBC post-match.
“I kind of had a thought [that it would go in] but as soon as it hit the net it was just a relief.”
There is no doubt that James has the potential to achieve huge success for her country over the next few years.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Keira Walsh of England receives medical treatment after an injury during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Are ACL injuries ruining the FIFA Women's World Cup?
As Keira Walsh went down in the 35th minute, Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses feared the worst.
Mouthing “I've done my knee”, the 26-year-old midfielder was clearly in serious discomfort after catching her boot and falling onto her knee in the middle of the pitch.
For female football players - and fans - across the world, it was a familiar scene that is recognised all too well.
In November 2022, England lost out on their European Championship’s Golden Boot winner, Beth Mead, when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury whilst playing for Arsenal.
The Lionesses then faced another huge blow when captain Leah Williamson endured the same injury in April 2023.
England’s Fran Kirby also missed out on this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup due to a lengthy knee injury.
We are yet to know the extent of Keira Walsh’s diagnosis, but the Barcelona midfielder reemerged on crutches after England’s 1-0 over Denmark, suggesting that she had suffered serious damage.
Despite only being one week into the tournament, ACL injuries have already had a huge impact on the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 - and England are not the only team to suffer.
Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema has missed out on this summer’s competition, as well as USWNT’s Catarino Macario and Christen Press, France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino and Canada’s Janine Beckie just to name a few.
The injury is plaguing the women’s game, with female athletes three times more likely to tear their ACL than a male counterpart, but safeguarding action is yet to be taken.
Talking to PA Media earlier this year, Walsh revealed that she is often fearful of injury.
“I would be lying if I say it's not a worry for me every time I go on the pitch that I am going to get injured,” she told the news organisation.
Heartbreakingly for England, it seems that her biggest fear could have come true as Sarina Wiegman will now look for answers of how to fill the irreplaceable hole Keira Walsh potentially leaves behind.
England's win puts them three points clear at the top of Group D
What is next for England?
With their less than convincing 1-0 over Denmark, England now sit at the top of Group D on six points.
England will play their final game of Group D against China on Tuesday (1 August).
The Chinese beat Haiti 1-0 in Friday's other game to boost their qualification hopes, despite playing more than an hour with a player less due to Zhang Rui's red card.
You can view all fixtures, results and standings of the FIFA Women’s World Cup here.