Image source, Getty Images

Mark Sampson urges his England team forward as Germany link passes in midfield. Substitute Mandy Islacker collects the ball on the edge of the box but Gilly Flaherty is quick to slide across and dispossess her. Good defending. 

England right-back Lucy Bronze looks to have shaken off that knee problem, as she bursts down the right again. Jodie Taylor strikes the ball over from close range, but is offside. England comfortable, but can they get a winner?

Sue Smith
Former England forward on BBC Red Button (with new picture)

"Fran Kirby plays the ball through to Jodie Taylor but she is just caught offside. That is exactly the kind of pass England are looking for, though. England need to commit several players if they are going to press."

Meanwhile, Mark Sampson is having a long conversation with the referee about the strictness of some of her decisions. Game is in a bit of a lull now, but England are holding strong. 

Sue Smith has just been remarking on the state of the picture we are using for her. Feel free to send us a new one and I'll get it sorted!

Sue Smith
Former England forward on BBC Red Button

Image source, Getty Images

You can go through qualification and win eight or nine nil, so the fact they are now playing teams like Germany, and China and Australia recently, is important. 

The match in Duisberg is not the only action taking place this evening. We also have some Europa League action for you - with Qarabag and Spurs currently playing.

You can follow that on our Europa League text commentary.

So Mandy Islacker, Sara Dabritz and Tabea Kemme are among Germany's newcomers as England right-back Lucy Bronze goes down with a knee injury. Looks like she slipped on the turf and twisted it. However, she's going to continue. Looked nasty on the reply but she is moving well now. 

Players are back out and Germany have made a couple of changes. Four in fact, and we are under way again. 

Jo Currie
BBC Sport in Duisburg

Image source, Getty Images

"I think England boss Mark Sampson will be regretting not wearing a jumper under his jacket. The temperature has really dropped here. The press box is now a sea of hats and gloves!"

So what did you make of all that? Did you see evidence that England have closed the gap on Germany, who at second in Fifa's rankings, are three places above the Lionesses?

Let us know via #bbcfootball, external via the Match of the Day facebook page, external or on text via 81111.

Evenly poised in Duisburg. Germany had the better chances early on but England have finished the half on top. 

One minute of added time as Jill Scott tries to bustle through on the edge of the area, and that's it for the half. 

England left-back Alex Greenwood is getting some treatment but is up on her feet again. Some feisty challenges going in here. 

Sue Smith
Former England forward on BBC Red Button

"England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has been excellent in this first half, saving everything she has had to. The Germany full-backs have been really advanced and were involved again."  

There were signs in that attack of England midfielder Jordan Nobbs beginning to find her feet in this game. Germany are on the attack down the right and this time Karen Bardsley saves Leonie Maier's firmly-struck shot. 

Been a fairy physical game so far. England are matching their opponents but have made fewer inroads. As I say that, England have a great chance where the ball is worked to Demi Stokes 12 yards out but she shoots straight at the German keeper. Well played, there. 

Germany are breaking through England's midfield at regular intervals. Lina Magull is onto the England defence. Jill Scott stretches back to tackle and it looks like the German midfielder has got an ankle problem. False alarm. She's ok, I think.