 England produced a dominant display to hammer China 6-1 in Adelaide and surge into the Women's World Cup last 16 as winners of Group D. Sarina Wiegman made an unexpected change to the formation of the team, switching to 3-5-2 from a 4-3-3, which proved to be a tactical masterclass as the Lionesses mauled their opponents from kick-off. A smart finish from Alessia Russo put England ahead just four minutes into the contest, with Lauren Hemp and Lauren James also netting before the half-time break. It could have been even worse for China had a wonderful curling James strike not been controversially ruled out for offside just moments before the interval. China got a lifeline early in the second half when a VAR review handed them a penalty for a Lucy Bronze handball, which Wang Shuang rolled down the middle and into the back of the net. Weigman's side were unfazed, though, as James grabbed a second in stunning style and Chloe Kelly came off the bench to take advantage of a goalkeeping howler to make it five for England. It was all too easy late on as Rachel Daly slammed home a sixth against a dispirited and disappointing China side. England will go on to play Nigeria in the last 16 in Brisbane on 7 August after finishing the group stage with three wins from three and just that one penalty kick conceded. Hemp, Katie Zelem and Jess Carter came into the side, with the injured Keira Walsh, Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone dropping out of the team in the unusual formation for the Lionesses. The change brought a blistering start from England, with Russo needing just four minutes to break the deadlock. It was the Arsenal forward's smart work on the left flank which created the move, playing in Hemp who saw her cross cut out, but James nodded the ball down to Russo who found the bottom corner. James was provider again on 26 minutes after Millie Bright was sharp to win the ball in the centre-circle and laid it){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
England produced a dominant display to hammer China 6-1 in Adelaide and surge into the Women’s World Cup last 16 as winners of Group D.
Sarina Wiegman made an unexpected change to the formation of the team, switching to 3-5-2 from a 4-3-3, which proved to be a tactical masterclass as the Lionesses mauled their opponents from kick-off.
A smart finish from Alessia Russo put England ahead just four minutes into the contest, with Lauren Hemp and Lauren James also netting before the half-time break.
It could have been even worse for China had a wonderful curling James strike not been controversially ruled out for offside just moments before the interval.