Summary

  • England beat Denmark to maintain 100% record in Group D

  • James scored winner with brilliant curling strike from edge of box

  • Lionesses midfielder Walsh carried off on stretcher with knee injury in first half

  • England will qualify for knockout stage if China fail to beat Haiti

  1. Where to go now with so many ACL injuries?published at 11:53 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC One

    More research is the first thing. Then the pitches, as we discussed today, was it watered enough?

    Then can you look at nutrition, amount of games, the menstrual cycle.

    There are so many factors that have an impact in the process [of an ACL injury].

    Of course it can happen in a tackle as well, but there are so many different factors that come into such a big injury.

  2. 'We really had to fight for the win'published at 11:51 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Watch as England boss Sarina Wiegman speaks to the BBC soon after the 1-0 win over Denmark.

  3. 'There was no plan B without Walsh'published at 11:49 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC One

    [At the 2022 Euros] Everything came through Keira. There wasn't a plan B.

    I dreaded to think of the idea of us ever losing her because she was one of our best players. Beth Mead was scoring all the goals but all of our play came through Keira.

    She was the key cog, everything moved through her.

    I just don't know who England are going to have now in that six [defensive midfield position], or even potential double six, role.

  4. 'It looked serious'published at 11:47 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Keira WalshImage source, Getty Images

    England manager Sarina Wiegman spoke to the BBC about Keira Walsh's injury after the win over Denmark. Here's what the Lionesses' boss said:

    What can you tell us about Keira Walsh's situation? "Nothing. It did look serious so if you can't walk off the pitch it's serious. I don't know, we've just finished the game."

    Will she have a scan? "Probably. But I haven't heard anything yet. During the game you have to move on and now it is time to look at how she is and the next steps."

    Do you think the injury affected the mentality of your team? "I think they did a great job. The team really picked it up but it is not nice to see a player on the pitch [like that]. She goes off and that's not nice. I think the team picked up really well and we had to fight. That's what we did."

  5. 'We had to fight and that's what we did'published at 11:45 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    England

    Sarina WiegmanImage source, Getty Images

    England manager Sarina Wiegman speaking to BBC after the win over Denmark: "We started well, we played well and scored the goal and then we had a little stage in the first half [where] we lost balls we didn't have to lose.

    "Then we had the horrible moment with Keira. Second half was a fight and the team showed we adapted to the new situation and we had to fight to win. I am very proud of the team."

    On Lauren James' goal: "For me it doesn't matter who scores the goals. They played well, they started well and yes, LJ scored a beautiful goal."

  6. 'A dream performance for James'published at 11:45 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC One

    For someone so young, 21 years old, Lauren James just took the game by the scruff of the neck.

    She really dictated the tempo of the game. I just love the way she manipulates the ball.

    Scoring at a World Cup is a dream for her and hopefully she can continue this now and take it into the next games.

  7. 'Experienced players can learn from James'published at 11:42 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Fara Williams
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    Lauren James was the only bright spark for England today.

    She kicked things off with the early goal which really set us on our way [to the win].

    After the initial 20-minute period, the only quality from then on really came from Lauren James. We just need to get players around her.

    For someone so young to control the rhythm of the team is impressive, some of the more experienced players need to take a leaf out of her book.

  8. 'It was a dream'published at 11:39 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    England

    Lauren JamesImage source, Getty Images

    England winger Lauren James speaking to the BBC after the win over Denmark: "Yeah definitely [it was a great feeling to score]. It was a dream and something I've been thinking about but most importantly I'm happy to help us win.

    "I kind of had a thought and then as soon as it hit the net it was just relief."

    That did your team-mates say to you? "They were just really happy for me and they said it before the game they had a good feeling about me. I am happy to have good people around me."

    You still seem so calm... "I am calm all around the pitch. I am happy to bring that on the pitch."

  9. 'Russo needs more credit'published at 11:36 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    You have to think she is not getting the same sort of service that she normally gets. It hasn't been there in that sense and she's still contributing.

    I think she needs more credit.

    Alessia RussoImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'Plenty of positives'published at 11:34 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Jonas Eidevall
    Arsenal manager on BBC One

    It's really important to focus on the positives.

    The first 20-25 minutes were really, really strong. That period showed what this England team is capable of.

    If they've done it for that amount of time, they can repeat it for longer in the next game.

    Also, they kept another clean sheet, they scored a goal off the back of the way they set up.

    Playing without Keira Walsh was always going to be difficult and of course [her injury] puts a dampener on things in the end.

  11. James named Player of the Matchpublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Anna Thompson
    BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

    Two very neat circles on the pitch as the England and Denmark players are in a huddle following the final whistle with initial thoughts from their respective coaches.

    A huge cheer goes around the stadium when Lauren James' name is announced as the Player of the Match - I don't think anyone would disagree with that after her stunning goal was the difference in Sydney.

    England and Denmark player huddlesImage source, BBC Sport
  12. How it standspublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    England have won two out of two and they're not through to the last 16 yet, but are very close.

    If China fail to beat Haiti, then the Lionesses will be through. If China do win, then England will only need a draw against them in the final Group D match to go through as group winners.

    Group D - England, Denmark, China, HaitiImage source, .
  13. 'From exciting to frustrating'published at 11:30 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Fara Williams
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    It's really difficult to sum up that game.

    In the opening 20 minutes England had me off my chair. Played with intensity and purpose, pushing forward and really dominating. It was exciting.

    After the goal they kind of fell away, lost momentum. Denmark those couple of chances.

    I think the injury to Walsh had a huge impact, changed England's approach and gave Denmark a chance to step things up.

    England then never really managed to find a way back into the game.

  14. 'A win is a win'published at 11:26 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

    It's not been electric.

    It's not been sparkling nor polished.

    But.... a win is a win.

  15. FULL-TIMEpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Two games, two goals, two wins, six points. England get the job done again, with Lauren James the match-winner after her stunning sixth-minute strike.

    England celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    One minute to go. England one minute away from two wins out of two.

  17. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Mary Earps again is called into action, with a mis-hit ball played into the box, but the England goalkeeper does well to make sure she is not embarrassed.

    Mary EarpsImage source, Getty Images
  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    So this has ‘late Danish equaliser’ written all over it. Our defence too busy appealing for offside there to notice the striker nearly scoring.

    Anon

    After half-time, when they had time to think about what has happened to Walsh, England look like they don't care all that much about winning the game.

    Gordon

  19. 'Vansgaard is making it difficult for England'published at 11:22 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I've been so impressed with Vansgaard since she's came on. She is occupying both centre-backs and making it so difficult to predict where her run is going to come from and where the pressure is going to come from.

    VansgaardImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 90 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Four minutes of injury time for England to hang on. And that's what they're doing at the moment. Hanging on.