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. Coombs could play key rolepublished at 45 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

    The entire mood in the stadium has dropped following that Keira Walsh injury.

    Laura Coombs, on as her replacement, was barely on England's radar until 12 months ago.

    She might now be playing every match for the rest of the World Cup if Walsh's injury turns out to be the ACL that everyone is dreading...

    Coombs has had a few composed touches since coming on though which is good.

  2. 'So many options'published at 10:14 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

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

    We can see Rachel Daly getting in an advanced position when Lauren James comes centrally. There are so many options for England going forward.

  3. Watch Denmark's chance to grab an equaliserpublished at 43 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    This was a big chance for Denmark to grab an equaliser, which wasn't taken.

  4. 'What a game Walsh was having'published at 10:12 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

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

    I was just about to say what a game she is having in terms of being able to create space for herself.

    She is phenomenal at doing that and when she went to Barcelona I think that added a new level to her game. It is big shoes to fill and England have played games without her in the past.

    Laura Coombs is in there now and she's a very 'simple principles' player. She gets the ball, and she passes it and keeps it.

    We will be fine.

    Keira WalshImage source, PA Media
  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:12 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

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

    Another professional women's footballer does her knee. Really need to ramp up research and efforts to tackle this. Physiologists and boot manufacturers need to work on why this is so common and, more importantly, how to stop/limit the risk.

    Anon

  6. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 42 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    With Keira Walsh being carried off on a stretcher, on comes Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs for only her sixth England appearance.

  7. Postpublished at 40 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

    Keira WalshImage source, Reuters

    Keira Walsh being taken off on a stretcher is arguably the worst sight England fans could have seen.

    When the stretcher goes past Sarina Wiegman she quickly gives instructions to substitute Laura Coombs then has a quick word with Walsh, stroking her head on her way past.

    England are already missing captain Leah Williamson and Ballon d'Or runner-up Beth Mead with ACL injuries. Fran Kirby also isn't here through injury. That's some serious talent.

  8. 'It's gutting for Walsh'published at 40 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Gilly Flaherty
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think it's gutting. I am looking now at the pictures of Keira Walsh. She looks upset.

    You are thinking, is it those dreaded three letters that we don't like saying.

    It's not good to see and it's just fingers crossed that it isn't what we think it is [an ACL injury].

  9. 'Fingers crossed for Keira Walsh'published at 39 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

    Keira Walsh looks like she has said 'I've done my knee."

    An ongoing, ever-present unfortunate discussion that we are having in women's football.

    Her studs get caught in the ground, not a lot of contact, and we all know what that means. We're just hoping that the outcome is different for Keira Walsh.

    Keira WalshImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 38 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Leah Williamson and Beth Mead are both out with long-term ACL knee injuries and a stretcher is now being called for Keira Walsh and she is gently placed on to it and carried off the pitch.

    Her team-mates try to console her as she is on the stretcher.

    Hopefully Walsh's injury is not as serious as it appears.

  11. Walsh is downpublished at 10:08 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Vicki Sparks
    BBC commentator, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Let us hope that this is not another serious injury. But you know your own body and she's signalling that she can't continue.

    Keira WalshImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 10:06 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

    This isn't a good sign at all. Keira Walsh immediately signalled to the bench that she was in trouble.

    Lucy Bronze came running over to offer support alongside Georgia Stanway and there's a few tears in Walsh's eyes. It looked like Walsh mouthed "I've done my knee."

    This is terrible for England if that is the case.

  13. Postpublished at 35 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Worrying moments for Keira Walsh. She's gone over on her knee. And instantly looks in some distress.

  14. Postpublished at 35 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Lucy BronzeImage source, Getty Images

    Lucy Bronze tries to come round the back and connect with Rachel Daly's long, angled ball, but Denmark's Katrine Veje has done well to get her body in the way and wins the goalkick.

    Thumbs up from Bronze for Daly's lovely pass though.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:02 British Summer Time 28 July 2023

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

    My goodness, England do give the ball away frighteningly often. It’s gonna cost us sooner or later.

    Robin

    Wayne: Looking much better in attack so far, but extremely vulnerable at the back when Denmark counter.

  16. 'Denmark have adapted to England's tactics'published at 32 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

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

    I think what we are seeing is the tempo of how quickly the ball is changed from side to side has kind of slowed a little bit.

    You can see what England are trying to do in terms of shifting the Danish side. I think they are wise to it and the space is not appearing as easily for Alessia Russo and Ella Toone.

    Chloe Kelly and Katrine VejeImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'Denmark look dangerous'published at 32 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

    Denmark have edged the last 10 minutes or so.

    They've worked themselves back into the game and look dangerous, and they're just starting to expose England's vulnerabilities.

  18. Postpublished at 32 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Lucy Bronze, looking to make up for that recent error, has a headed chance following a right-wing corner, but it is always looping well over the crossbar.

  19. 'Another let off'published at 31 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Rachel Brown-Finnis
    Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

    Mary EarpsImage source, Getty Images

    Another let off, another save from Mary Earps.

    Lucy Bronze gave the ball away far too easily there, she had stepped into a central position but had not communicated with Millie Bright who was on the cover.

    Pernille Harder could quite easily have equalled things for Denmark there.

  20. GOOD SAVE!published at 30 mins

    England 1-0 Denmark

    Denmark are growing into this. Lucy Bronze's pass on the edge of the Danish penalty area is cut out and they spring a lightning counter attack, right at the heart of the England defence.

    The ball is played wide left to danger-woman Pernille Harder, she cuts in on to her right foot and shoots low and hard at goal. It would've crept in inside the post, but Mary Earps does excellently, quickly down to her right and holds on to the strike.