The Lionesses edge Denmark 1-0 despite a key injury; China, with only 10 players, holds off Haiti for 1-0 victory
In the end, it was worth the wait.
With a flash of early brilliance, Lauren James ended England’s run of more than seven hours without a goal from open play to seal a 1-0 win against Denmark at the Women’s World Cup on Friday.
The Chelsea star scored after six minutes of her first start at the tournament to put the Lionesses on course for back-to-back wins in Group D.
“It was a dream and something I’ve been thinking about, but most importantly I’m happy to help us win,” James said. “I kind of had a thought and then as soon as it hit the net, it was just relief.”
James, who came off the bench in England’s tight opening win over Haiti, made a quick impression when given her chance from the start against Denmark.
Collecting the ball outside the area, she curled a right-foot shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lene Christensen to score what turned out to be the winner for European champion England.
“It came too early for us,” Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard said. “It upset us a little bit. We were then on the back foot a little bit and England got confidence through this beautiful goal.”
James, the sister of Chelsea and England men’s player Reece James, is considered one of the brightest prospects in women’s soccer.
She lived up to that billing, being named player of the match against Denmark and bringing a new energy to England’s attack, which has lacked cutting edge in the build up to the World Cup.
She was the key difference between an England team that had looked predictable in attack against Haiti and one that threatened to overrun Denmark in the opening half an hour in Sydney.
Not that her coach Sarina Wiegman wanted to place too much focus on the forward, trying to deflect any question about the player.
James’ former Chelsea teammate and Denmark captain Pernille Harder was happier to give praise.
“I’ve seen her do that so many times in training, I knew that we had to keep an eye on her her right foot,” she said. “She does that really well.
