Fifa Women's World Cup: France edge to important win over Brazil

1. Renard's back-post header gives France crucial win against Brazil
2. Debinha had equalised after Le Sommer deservedly put France 1-0 up
3. Brazil would have qualified for last 16 with win
4. France drew 0-0 with Jamaica in opening game, Brazil thrashed Panama 4-0
5. Get Involved: Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp [phone] or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

James stars as England close in on last 16 with win - read the report

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

Getty Images

England are on the brink of last 16 qualification in the Women's World Cup after producing a much-improved performance to beat Denmark - though they lost key midfielder Keira Walsh to a worrying injury.

Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with a superb strike from the edge of the box just six minutes into her first World Cup start and it proved to be the decider in Sydney.

However, a serious-looking injury to Barcelona midfielder Walsh dampened what was a positive, attacking performance from the Lionesses after a struggling 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening group match.

Walsh went down under little contact and immediately gestured to the dugout, appearing to say "I've done my knee". Visibly in pain, she was taken off on a stretcher after 38 minutes.

The sight of an injured Walsh - arguably England's most crucial player - flattened the atmosphere in a Sydney Football Stadium dominated by Lionesses' supporters.

Denmark capitalised on the change of mood, creating a chance for ex-Chelsea striker Pernille Harder which she scuffed wide, though England's half-time lead was deserved.

James continued to impress throughout, providing the creativity and unpredictability that has excited fans in the Women's Super League this season, and she is more than deserving of a regular starting spot with England.

She had chances in the first half either side of a header from Lucy Bronze which went over the bar, though Denmark pounced on defensive errors with Rikke Madsen and Janni Thomsen coming close.

Denmark continued to search for an equaliser and almost found one when substitute Amalie Vangsgaard - who scored a 90th-minute winner over China - headed a cross against the post.

Let's have a quick look back at how England made it two wins from two yesterday as well as what else has happened today...

'You can feel the nerves from Brazil'

Fara Williams

Former England midfielder on BBC One

I think you can feel the nerves from this Brazil team.

You can see the rivalry between the two teams, they haven't beaten France in a long time and they're not playing with the same fluidity.

But there are the same gaps there for Brazil that there were in their opening game to play in but they don't seem to be finding the rhythm to do that.

'France have limited Brazil's attacking options'

Steph Houghton

Manchester City defender on BBC One

France have limited a Brazil team with a lot of attacking talent. They have coped with those transitions.

Possession has been a bit transitional for both teams, I don't think they have really got hold of the rhythm as much as they would have wanted to.

France overall have been a little bit better than Brazil.

Hopefully we can get to see more of that in the second half.

Lived up to its billing

Emma Smith

BBC Sport at Brisbane Stadium

After an opening few games defined by penalties, VAR and teams failing to score, this World Cup has kicked up a notch these last couple of days.

The big ticket matches - Australia v Nigeria, USA v Netherlands - have lived up to their billing, and so has this so far.

Brazil though will feel they can offer more. Their forward players have not got into the game yet.

'France are still being quite defensive'

Laura Georges

Former France international on BBC One

The nerves are still there because it is just one goal.

I don't feel we are possessing the ball.

I was expecting a 4-3-3 with more counter attacks but we are still being quite defensive.

HALF-TIME

A very enjoyable half of football that one.

France lead thanks to Eugenie le Sommer's header, but Brazil should have equalised with Adriana missing a glorious chance.

France have arrived

Emma Smith

BBC Sport at Brisbane Stadium

Strain your ears, and amid the drums, screams and chants for Brazil, you can hear the refrain 'Allez Les Bleues'.

The France fans who are here in Brisbane have had plenty to shout about in this first half. It feels like their team has finally arrived at the World Cup.

Andy Gray

BBC Sport at Brisbane Stadium

That had been coming a while now. Luana and Toletti have been at each other the entire match and now both are in the book.

That was a full-blooded tackle and a blatant yellow card. You almost have to admire Luana's audacity to try and protest it.

There were 'ohhhs' and 'ahhhs' from the crowd as both players flew into it.

'Late from Luana'

Rachel Brown-Finnis

Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

Luana wins the ball but that is late from her. Yellow card, no complaints there.

A mix-up at the back for Brazil when defending a free-kick gives Sandie Toletti a chance but Leticia gets back in time.

Brazil then sprint down the other end with a shot on target for Antonia but it was too far out. Pauline Peyraud-Magnin watches it all the way and dives forward to hang on to it.

Luana then gets a booking for Brazil, going in late on Toletti.

Rachel Brown-Finnis

Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

Brazil have not been able to get a foot on the ball in midfield up to this point.

Getting the ball out wide and playing it in isn't going to work for Brazil.

Pia Sundhage is going to have to work that out.

Getty Images

Kerolin nutmegs an opponent, but can't then build on that. Brazil recycle the ball and it is flung in for Geyse, but she can't get much on the header and it goes well off target.

Watch how France opened the scoring

This is the only goal of the game so far, a very nice header from Eugenie le Sommer.

'France are quick on the transition'

Rachel Brown-Finnis

Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

Grace Geyoro was fractionally offside.

Leticia spread herself wide and Geyoro didn't have much to shoot at.

It's a few times that Brazil have played themselves into trouble with a loose pass and France are quick on the transition.

Getty Images

France's Grace Geyoro is through on goal and Leticia didn't know the offside flag was about to be raised and made an excellent save to keep the ball out of the net.

YELLOW CARD

This is a great, purposeful run at the France defence by Brazil's Adriana after she collected the ball near the halfway line.

It comes to an abrupt halt when she is taken out by midfielder Sandie Toletti, who deservedly sees yellow for that cynical lunge.

The free-kick from Debinha is wasted though, far too close to the goalkeeper and she easily gathers.

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Getty Images

Sulaimon: Great flick on from Diani and Le Sommer does what she does best. France deserves the goal, they have been on top from the first minute.

'Great togetherness'

Emma Smith

BBC Sport at Brisbane Stadium

When France scored, goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin ran to the bench and jumped into a scrum of about 10 celebrating substitutes.

Manager Herve Renard joined in too, going around high-fiving everyone.

For a team which has so often and recently lacked unity, France look to have a great togetherness now - and it is showing in this performance.

WHAT A CHANCE!

We hoped and expected this to be a good one - and it certainly is.

It's frantic, 100 miles per hour and surely there are more goals to come.

Adriana nearly gets an instant equaliser - and she should have got it. She was found central, free, but shoots wastefully wide.

And another chance for Brazil. Debinha's shot is blocked and dealt with by goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.