Thank you so much for joining me for this match! China had a lot of chances but it is Denmark who come away with the win. We will be back with more live action tomorrow, until then have a great Saturday.
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Do Australia have a chance of winning the World Cup if Sam Kerr doesn’t recover from her injury? Read more:
So that is the end of the action for today but there are some great matches tomorrow. We will live coverage on those, which are:
Sweden v South Africa
Netherlands v Portugal
France v Jamaica
While we wait for this report to come in, have a read of England’s win over Haiti:
Fun fact, Vangsgaard’s goal is the first header scored at the 2023 World Cup! This is also the first game not to feature a penalty this tournament.
Do you think Sevecke is offside and interfering with the Xu in Denmark’s winner? Have a look below (the clip is from the BBC so you may not have access if outside the UK):
Amalie Vansgaard providing the late drama! 🤯
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 22, 2023
Watch it live on @BBCTwo and @BBCiPlayer now 📺 #FIFAWWC #DEN #CHN pic.twitter.com/BAP0O2LhsO
Full-time: Denmark 1-0 China
It is Vangsgaard’s finish from a corner that seals this match after a fragmented and scrappy fight. China may have had the upper hand overall but it is the Dane who come away with the three points. Denmark share top spot with England in the group, the two nations face each other next time out.
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90 + 6 min: Oh my gosh! S Wang whips in a free kick and it is almost in, Boye gets it off the line but China were offside anyway. Wow.
90 + 4 min: Denmark attempting to compound their lead but they are ruled offside. They are running down the clock here though. Denmark have been far from their best today and I think China were the better team overall. The goal was well worked but China will rue their missed chances if it stays as it is.
90 + 2 min: There will be six minutes added, plenty of time for China to find an equaliser.
90 + 1 min: Rachel Brown-Finnis is saying it should be reviewed as Sevecke’s run toward Xu put her off and Sevecke seemed offside. But VAR has now looked at it and the goal stands!
GOAL! Denmark 1-0 China (Vangsgaard, 90')
Yes it can be broken! Harder sends the corner in and Vangsgaard leaps to head home.
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89 min: End-to-end football continues with Denmark on the attack now. Harder wins a corner, can the deadlock be broken?
88 min: Veje pops a throw in but Bruun’s touch sees it out for a goal kick. Oo a lovely bit of play from China there as L Zhang gets in a good position but she eventually sees it out for a goal kick. The fragmented game continues.
86 min: Veje boots it into the box but it doesn’t connect with any teammate. China make another change Gao is on for Li and Denmark also make a replacement with Thomsen off for Vangsgaard.
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84 min: Bruun has a shot there which came from a lovely bit of play from Madsen, it goes behind for a corner. Veje takes the corner but it is initially cleared, it comes to Madsen but her shot is wide.
82 min: A great bit of defence there from Denmark as they cut out a cross. China come again but they are judged offside. Harder then gets in a great position but she spends too long on the ball and the opportunity is gone. Ruth has got in touch and said: “So a GK can punch another player and it’s not a penalty. What a joke.” Xu made contact with the ball before making contact with Madsen, who also had her eyes on the ball – a football accident I would say.
80 min: Harder coughs up the ball but Denmark quickly win it back. A foul occurs but the referee doesn’t blow for it and so China are away,
79 min: China make another change with Shen on for Lou. Shen is immediately on the ball as China set up a chance but S Wang’s shot is over the bar.
77 min: So close again from Denmark! A cross comes in and Madsen and Xu colliding. They were both committed there, I doubt there will be a penalty call. Both players getting treatment but both okay to continue.
76 min: Thomsen wins a free kick in a good position and it thumps in. SO CLOSE! It’s almost an own goal but it is out for corner. The corner is sent in but Boye’s shot is wide. That is probably the closest they have come to scoring.
74 min: I can’t say this is the most thrilling match of the tournament so far! Denmark next to make a change with Sorensen off for Madsen.
72 min: Veje makes a great run but her pass only finds a Chinese player. It comes back to Ballisager and she misses the ball, R Zhang has a punt and it’s way over the bar.
70 min: S Wang takes the corner but it is well cleared by Ballisager. Denmark now building from deep, Sorensen crosses in but it’s cut out.
68 min: C Wu draws a foul and wins a free kick for China in a good position. It’s whipped in and Ballisager sees it over, corner to come.
66 min: Sorensen pops the ball through but it’s cleared, Denmark are definitely threatening more but they just need the final pass. Harder fouls and China are in possession. They get it into the box but it’s repelled and it comes to S Wang who puts in a shot but it’s over.
64 min: Sorensen with a poor touch as Denmark tried to build a chance there, a simple take and she puts it out of play.
62 min: Denmark now have to defend with China peppering the box with crosses, the Europeans manage to clear for now. L Zhang makes a great run to beat Boye but the crowd boss as the Chinese player s pulled for a foul. Denmark make their first change with Kuhl off for Bruun.
60 min: Sorensen sends in a great ball and Harder almost gets her header home! Chen does really well to defend, conceding a corner in the process. Veje sends it in but it is cleared easily.
58 min: Sevecke has a long throw in but China come away with it. Sorensen manages to track back and win the ball with Denmark building from deep once again.
57 min: Players receive some treatment and take on some water in a slight break in play but everyone is okay to continue.
56 min: Xu is way out of goal but she boots it upfield and puts China in a great position. Denmark are able to clear and Harder gets the ball to the edge of the box – she is hustled though. Scrappy with glimpses of skill at the moment.
54 min: Kuhl is lucky to keep the ball there after a loose pass but it takes Denmark a while to create anything with sustenance. They try and win a corner but it is out for a goal kick.
52 min: Veje whips it in but it has too much on it, a wasted opportunity. Sorensen sets up a chance. Sorensen get it and crosses, it comes to Hasbo and she should have scored there. She gets a head to it but it is over the bar.
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50 min: S Wang gets a shot on target, a great replacement for China, but Christensen saves. Now here come Denmark, Harder pops it in but it doesn’t come off. It comes to Hasbo who wins a corner.
49 min: L Zhang wins China a free kick in their own half but it doesn’t come to anything and Denmark are in possession. The ball is exchanged between the teams – a lot more of the same from the first half.
47 min: China have made a change at the break with S Wang on. China start the half brightly with a chance immediately as Li’s shot sails over the bar.
Back underway! Denmark 0-0 China
Here we go then! Back underway to the action
Caroline has got in touch and shed some light on the crowd booing: “The booing was when there was a pitch invader - tackled by two security guards just near the Danish keeper and carted away.”
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A fun fact, there has not been a game so far in this World Cup where both teams have scored.
The expected goal stats for this game are Denmark 0.4 and China 0.32, so don’t hold out hope for seeing a goal in the second half.
Half-time: Denmark 0-0 China
China may have the overall upper hand but in terms of chances it has been fairly even. Harder and L Zhang both having good games.
45 + 1 min: Two minutes added here and China have a free kick but from their own half. They get it in the box but Christensen is the only player there to receive it.
45 min: Denmark come again but China manage to clear, this feels as though it will end 0-0.
44 min: A missplaced pass from China sees Harder on the edge of the box, she pops it in and R Zhang heads away but concedes a corner. It’s in an Xu punches and accidentally hits her own player, the chance is gone as Xu is fouled.
42 min: Sevecke gets a yellow card for a clear shirt pull and China have a free kick, a fair way out from goal but it’s a good platform. It’s popped in and it falls to L Zhang but she can’t connect! So close to an opener.
40 min: The crowd are booing but I’m unsure as to why. China have had a long time on the ball now and are being patient in their build-up but are still unable to get close to the box. It’s out of play now and Denmark can set their own play.
38 min: There hasn’t even been a clear cut chance in this first half for either team as a highlight. Chances will come but the clinical edge for both teams needs to be there.
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36 min: A great run and cross but Xu is able to deal with it. China now on the attack but Denmark are quick to win it back, Kuhl gives the ball away cheaply though.
34 min: Lou has masterful footwork to get into space and she crosses in but Christensen collects.
33 min: While we wait for play to get back underway Kari has emailed: “China have been the much better team, but the longer they go without scoring, the likelier it’ll be that Harder gets the one chance she needs to strike. It’s not often it’s such a clear battle between team and individual quality.” I agree to a certain extent. China the stronger for sure but I think it is not just Harder in the Denmark side that could score. Kuhl or Sorensen could get on the end of a goal. We are back in action and Thomsen is okay to continue.
32 min: The referee is not having these fouls, Thomsen is down and eventually play is stopped. On the replay Yao does go for the ball, it’s the aftermath that catches Thomsen’s legs. A slight break in play as she receives some treatment.
30 min: China are threading the ball through the team and doing well to keep the ball as Denmark press. However, they opt for a long ball which doesn’t quite come off.
28 min: Ballisager puts in a huge pass to Harder but she can’t control, Denmark are quickly back in possession but China ushers it out of play. Denmark are really growing in this.
27 min: Denmark have settled into this, Sevecke has a long range shot but Xu deals with it easily. The keeper takes her time on the ball but Harder closes her down which sees a rushed clearance.
25 min: Harder passes to Sorensen but Wang closes down the chance well. Denmark send it is again but China are all over this defensively. They look frantic in defence but they are getting the job done.
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24 min: Sevecke was setting up a Denmark attack but China’s defenders read the play well to cut out the chance. Denmark do have possession again though but the pace of this match has slowed.
22 min: A huge battle in the midfield but China do have the upper hand. Possession is exchanging hands, it’s a scrappy start.
20 min: China are so clinical on their attacking play until the final moment. Denmark on the front foot now, Kuhl gets a shot away but it’s wide.
18 min: Veje opts for a long kick and Harder wins a free kick, a great move from the skipper. Veje takes it and it is in the box and it pinballs around. It’s lofted into air and then Harder is judged to be offside.
16 min: Yao sends it in to the near post but it is out for another corner. It’s looping in and Christensen punches away. Denmark are having to deal with a lot of attack early on. Alex has got in touch and said: “Denmark’s passing has been atrocious so far, there’ve been almost as many unforced passing errors as minutes played so far. Nerves?” It could be nerves and also some inexperience. Denmark have not been in the World Cup since 2007.
14 min: Oh wow, China win it back in a great position and Wu wins a corner. The battle at the back for Denmark is one they are losing at the moment. The corner comes in and Christensen punches away and Thomsen kicks out for another corner.
12 min: Harder tries to create something but she is judged offside. A great run from L Zhang but Denmark do enough to repel the chance. Yao crosses it in but Christensen collects.
10 min: A great save from Christensen, a good turn and shot from L Zhang. So far China are the better team in this one.
8 min: Kuhl gives the ball away cheaply, really unlike the Arsenal star, which gives China a great opportunity. Chen has a shot on goal but it is just over.
6 min: Slightly scrappy so far but Wu fouls and Denmark are on the front foot. Kuhl has good footwork and wins a free kick after her shirt is pulled. Denmark give it away cheaply – wasted opportunity. Lou gets back to her feet after a sore bash to her ankle, she is okay to continue.
4 min: A chance for China now and Christensen collects. Possession exchanges hands as both sides settle into this match.
2 min: An early chance for Denmark but Xu deals with it cleanly. Mary Waltz has been in touch and had her say on Barbie v Oppenheimer: “Crack of Dawn greetings from Northern California. Barbie or Oppenheimer? This is the WOMENS World Cup, these gals have zero limitations, it will be a cinema double feature!” I love this take, the players do have the durability for five hours of cinema in a day!
Kick-off! Denmark 0-0 China
Another huge match in this World Cup has begun!
Here we go! The players are out to a huge roar in Perth, the final World Cup match of the day in just over five minutes.
The players are coming out soon on the pitch, the anthems will shortly follow and then we will be underway! Excited for this one? I am, it will be an interesting match.
If either Denmark or China get a larger win than 1-0 today they will go to the top of the group with England and Haiti the other nations in their group. I’m going to predict a 2-1 Denmark win, let me know your predictions!
The US’ Sophia Smith is topping the Golden Boot race so far after she scored two and grabbed an assist against Vietnam. You can keep up with the battle for the award here:
England’s match has ended 1-0 thanks to a Georgia Stanway penalty. Haiti pushed the Euro champions all the way and the Lionesses are still searching for their first goal in open play since April. Catch all the reaction:
There has been a penalty in every match of this World Cup so far. Will Denmark v China follow suit?
Barbie v Oppenheimer is the battle in the cinema at the moment and it has created a meme on social media with people guessing who would go to which movie. I think the US’ Megan Rapinoe would go to Oppenheimer but England’s Ella Toone would go to Barbie. Let me know what you think players would watch via Twitter or email.
Here’s all you need to know about China’s star player from the country’s guide: “As it was four years ago, Wang Shuang is China’s standout performer. The 28-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or a second striker, remains a pre-eminent virtuoso. As the most skilful player in Chinese women’s football, Wang is the source of creativity and was the only highlight of China’s disappointing Tokyo Olympics. Though she made little impact in the Asian Cup due to injury, her resolution still inspired people around her. “Prior to the final, I asked if she could play and she said yes without any hesitation,” said Shui. “This is the epitome of Chinese women’s football spirit.”” Read the full piece:
Here is a fun fact from our Denmark guide: “Denmark have won the Women’s World Cup. Albeit the unofficial one in 1970 and 1971. But it is impressive nonetheless with the final in 1971 being played in front of more than 100,000 fans in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Denmark defeated Mexico 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from 15-year-old Susanne Augustesen.” Read the full piece:
England’s game is still ongoing and Sarina Wiegman’s team are winning 1-0 against Haiti. You can keep up to date with the end of this one:
Here is the team news:
Denmark starting XI: Christensen; Ballisager, Sevecke, Boye, Veje; Hasbo, Holmgaard, Kuhl; Harder, Sorensen, Thomsen
China starting XI: Li Mengwen; Yao Wei, Chen Qiaozhu, Wu Chengsu; Zhang Xin, Zhang rui, Yang Lina, Zhang Linyan; Wang Shanshan, Lou Jiahui.
Preamble
Hello, well what a day of football it has already been at the World Cup! It is only going to get better with the final match of the day: Denmark v China.
Denmark are back in the tournament for the first time since 2007 and so they will want to start their campaign with a bang. In the tournament they have qualified for in the past they have never progressed into the knock-out stage and so to get out of the group would be a success.
China, meanwhile, have more experience at World Cups including making the final in 1999. They will be targeting to equal, if not better, that success but they do find themselves in a tricky group which also includes England and Haiti.
There are multiple storylines which will play out on the pitch but the first will be who are in the teams. The nations will release their team news shortly ahead of kick-off so stay tuned for all the updates.
