Lauren James hits double as England thrash China 6-1 to reach Women's World Cup last 16

Lauren James scored two goals and assisted in three others to help England into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with a 6-1 thrashing of China in Adelaide on Tuesday.

China's Shuang Wang scored their consolation goal. China failed to advance from the group stage for the first time at a World Cup as England topped Group D with nine points.

With the Lionesses dealing with an injury to midfielder Keira Walsh, the 21-year-old James has emerged as the nation's rising star. A video review before halftime took away a goal or James would have bagged a hat-trick against China, who finished the group phase on three points.

England won three straight games to head the group above Denmark, who also advance, in second place.

England got three goals during group stage matches from James and next face Nigeria on Monday in Brisbane.

Alessia Russo scored in the fourth minute and James assisted again on the second goal of the match, scored by Lauren Hemp, before she scored the first of her pair of goals from inside the box in the 41st minute. Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly also netted for England, who matched their biggest margin of victory in a Women's World Cup game.

England captain Millie Bright said: "We're really growing into the tournament now. We got a lot of criticism in the first two games but we were not concerned at all.

Lauren James is dropping an all-time performance