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. 'Another goal would settle the nerves'published at 10:38 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

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

    I think Sarina Wiegman is going to want to see more domination through possession and control.

    I think England are going to have to capitalise on their set-pieces to put some of the anxiety [to bed]. It would really settle everyone down, [another] goal.

  2. Postpublished at 48 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    The ball is knocked down to Ella Toone from the corner but the Manchester United forward can't make a clean contact on a shot and it goes over the top.

  3. KICK-OFFpublished at 46 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    We're back under way and England quickly win a corner on the right, followed by a corner on the left after a very panicky clearance from Stine Ballisager.

    Laura CoombsImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Dry pitch could have been cause in Walsh incident'published at 10:36 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Jonas Eidevall
    Arsenal manager on BBC One

    The pitch looks very dry.

    You could see on the movement when Keira Walsh went to slide with the right foot that it stops, and then the knee twists.

    In the celebration for the England goal Lauren James tried to knee slide, but she stopped [almost instantly] and fell over.

    In the moment it looks funny, but if you stop and you think about it, it is a danger to player welfare to have such a dry pitch.

    It is not good enough.

  5. Postpublished at 10:36 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    Ht: England 1-0 Denmark

    Anna Thompson
    BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

    The atmosphere in the Sydney Football Stadium fell a bit flat with Keira Walsh's injury in the first half.

    But the stadium announcer and DJ have been trying to get the crowd going again at half-time with some banging tunes and crowd participation.

    England v Denmark half-time entertainmentImage source, BBC Sport
  6. Postpublished at 10:35 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Remember, a win for England would leave them on the verge of qualifying for the last 16. If the Lionesses hold on and China fail to beat Haiti later on then England are in the knockout stages.

  7. 'Devastated for Walsh'published at 10:32 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC One

    I'm just devastated for Keira Walsh.

    She has been one of the best if not the best player in this England side.

    It looks bad. You saw as soon as it happened she knew that it didn't look good.

    She is a big miss - who is going to fill that void now for England?

  8. 'It had me off my seat, jumping around the room'published at 10:28 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Fara Williams
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    I'm glad Sarina Wiegman has given Lauren James a licence to roam and to play.

    She has brought that rhythm to England's play, recognising when to burst up the pitch, when to slow the play down and bring the ball back.

    Then when she comes in-field she is getting into the pockets we want her in.

    Her goal is exceptional - the finish is unbelievable, the keeper wasn't getting anywhere near it.

    It certainly did get me off my seat. I was jumping around the room.

  9. 'England's scintillating start'published at 10:28 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

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

    Georgia StanwayImage source, Getty Images

    It really was just so fun, the way the Lionesses started. It looked like everyone was bursting with confidence.

    Denmark looked very shocked and couldn't handle how quick England were playing.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:26 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

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    Supporting the Lionesses from our holiday in Turkey

    Anon

    A young England fan poses in her Lionesses top.Image source, BBC Sport
  11. 'I feel sick at the thought of another ACL'published at 10:24 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Gilly Flaherty
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England had a bright start and went ahead through a cracking goal from Lauren James.

    Then Denmark came back into it a little bit.

    Then that injury to Keira Walsh. You feel sick at the thought it could potentially be another ACL.

    Keira WalshImage source, Getty Images
  12. 'Denmark grew into the game'published at 10:24 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Jonas Eidevall
    Arsenal manager on BBC One

    Denmark had such a hard time dealing with Lauren James coming inside and using that half space to combine with Rachel Daly and Ella Toone.

    They grew into the game, built some momentum and created some chances of their own too.

  13. Lionesses' heads down at the whistlepublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

    The body language of England's players as the whistle goes for half-time probably says everything.

    They have their heads down and there's not much conversation going on. Presumably they are all thinking about Walsh's injury.

    Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood have a quick discussion about tactics, then Jess Carter comes over to congratulate Chelsea team-mate Lauren James.

    It's been a much better performance so far from England and they have a deserved lead but Denmark have had chances, for sure.

  14. 'James has delivered'published at 10:23 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

    Fara Williams
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    Lauren JamesImage source, Getty Images

    England have to be happy with that first half.

    The one player we were super excited to see was Lauren James and she has delivered.

  15. 'England concerned but determined'published at 10:23 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    HT: England 1-0 Denmark

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

    The girls will be very concerned. They know they have a job to do and they will do it for Keira Walsh.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

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    Walsh might be the most difficult player to replace in the entire squad. Williamson was the second choice in the No. 4 role, and Wiegman has no faith in Zelem at all. Hence the reshuffle and hope Stanway can do a job. Devastating loss if Walsh is out for the tournament.

    Richard

  17. HALF-TIMEpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    England lead through Lauren James' sixth-minute wonder strike that saw her curl the ball home from 22 yards out.

    But all thoughts will be on the injury suffered by Keira Walsh, with the Barcelona midfielder carried off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

    Lauren JamesImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'England need to get to half time and reset'published at 10:19 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

    The metaphorical skies have darkened for England.

    They've slowed down momentum, had fewer attacking opportunities as the half has gone on, and of course the huge injury to Walsh has also dampened spirits.

    They need to get to half time and reset.

    Those down moments that make you sick to the pit of your stomach are hard to ignore, but England need to keep their minds on the task in hand.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:17 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

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    Tim: Stating the absolute obvious but with Williamson injured for this tournament, Walsh is THE midfield player we do not want to lose.

    Jack: England now missing their three most influential players from the Euros in Walsh, Williamson and Mead. Big ask to win the World Cup now.

    After such an amazing positive start, everything feels so deflated and worrying now. If we do manage to go on and do well in these championships, it'll be massive testament to Sarina's management and the mental strength of this team. It's absolutely possible but right now seems like an almighty hill to climb.

    Catie

  20. Postpublished at 45+1 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Rachel DalyImage source, Getty Images

    A sore one for Rachel Daly, as Pernille Harder jumps into her when challenging for a header and catches Daly, but she's OK to carry on.