It’s England versus Nigeria as Three Lionesses thrash China 6-1

England’s forward #07 Lauren James (R) celebrates scoring her team’s fourth goal with teammate England’s defender #05 Alex Greenwoodduring the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group D football match between China and England at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on August 1, 2023. (Photo by Brenton EDWARDS / AFP)

Lauren James scored twice and assisted three other goals as England beat China 6-1 to set up a round of 16 clash with Nigerian on Monday.

England, ranked fourth by FIFA, needed only a draw to win Group D and face the second placed team in Group B (Nigeria), but they produced a masterclass in attacking football to make mincemeat of China in Adelaide.

Propelled by the youthful James, whose older brother, Reece, also plays for Chelsea, the Three Lionesses showed why they are reigning European champions, as early as the fourth minute when James teed up Alessia Russo for the opening goal.

Soon after, James provided her second assist when she slipped the ball to Laura Hemp to make it 2-0, before volleying in the third from the edge of the box.

Another effort was ruled out for offside by VAR before China reduced the tally through Shuang Wang from the spot when Lucy Bronze handled the ball in the box.

Whatever ambition China had of getting on even terms was vanquished by James, who volleyed Jess Carter’s deep cross past Yu Zhu for England’s fourth.

Second-half substitute, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly, completed the rout to knock the fight out of the Chinese, pushing the Asians out of the tournament.

Denmark finished as the second-best team in Group D after beating Haiti 2-0 and will meet Group B winners, Australia, in the round of 16.

It would have been so different if Nigeria had beaten Ireland in their last Group B