Maidstone-born striker Alessia Russo scores and Gravesend-born Laura Coombs claims assist as England beat China 6-1 to progress to Women’s World Cup knockout stages

Striker Alessia Russo netted her first Women’s World Cup goal as England thrashed China to progress to the knockout stages of the tournament on Tuesday.

Maidstone’s Russo, 24, got Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses things going with a fourth-minute goal in their record-equalling World Cup 6-1 win over China while fellow Kent player Laura Coombs came off the bench to claim an assist.

There were two goals and three assists for Chelsea forward Lauren James.

Others on target for England in front of a crowd of 13,497 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, included Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly, who was set up by Gravesend-born Man City midfielder Coombs.

With three wins from three, England finish Group D as winners, ahead of Denmark in second, and will play Nigeria in the last 16 on Monday (8.30am kick-off UK time).

Coombs, 32, had made her first major tournament appearance off the bench in a scrappy 1-0 victory against Denmark last Friday after a win by the same scoreline against minnows Haiti.

Russo has started all three group-stage games up front for the Lionesses.