Thank you so much for joining me for this match and for all your contributions on the celebrity sightings! The sight for England is the last 16 on the horizon, depending on the outcome of China v Haiti, thanks to a sensational Lauren James strike. Denmark almost came back with a huge Amalie Vangsgaard header but the Lionesses clung on for the three points. Have a read of Suzy Wrack’s report below for all the details, including Keira Walsh’s injury. China v Haiti is ongoing and keep up to date with that too – a red card has just been handed out!
Wiegman is now in her press conference and of course was asked about Walsh. The England manager said: “Of course I’m concerned because she couldn’t walk off the pitch but we don’t know yet so we can’t make any assumptions.”
Denmark captain Pernille Harder was used in a nine and 10 role in today’s match with many having opinions of where she should play. She was asked about it post-match and said: “It’s up to the coaches to decide, and I play where I’m told to and do what they think is the best.”
A nice family moment! Lauren James spoke ahead of the tournament about not liking being referred to as Reece’s sister and rightly so, she is a skilled player in her own right.
Proud. pic.twitter.com/xaVKsoN1Zc
— Reece James (@ReeceJames) July 28, 2023
The stats from Lauren James, she has surely won another starting shirt next time out:
🏴 Lauren James vs Denmark:
— Ameé Ruszkai (@ameeruszkai) July 28, 2023
71 touches
39/44 passes completed
20/23 in final third
8 times possession won
4/5 dribbles completed
2/2 tackles won
1 goal
Brilliant ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/iZAYfSHIuq
China v Haiti is underway:
A note on Denmark, who played well this evening. Veje and Harder were particularly good, though the latter needed to be given more ball to create more chances. They grow into the match and are dangerous in front of goal albeit needing to be more clinical. They definitely have the potential to qualify for the knock-out stages.
A good point to note:
Another element of England's midfield problems is Stanway was booked in the first game. She has to get to the QF without another to avoid a suspension.
— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) July 28, 2023
Daly told the BBC: “I’m going to claim a little bit of credit as I told her [James] to shoot tonight! I don’t think any keeper is saving that. She is so special, she is ruthless.” And on playing in defence rather than up front: “I will play anywhere for this team, it is an honour to be anywhere, Putting on the shirt in any position I am needed [I’ll be there].” She also added on Walsh going off: “It’s not nice to see anyone go off injured but Keira is Keira. She is an integral part of this team, I am really hoping with everything I’ve got it isn’t serious.”
Walsh will be a huge miss for England no matter how many games she may be ruled out of. Her position in the team has been underpinned by Ellen White in the BBC studio. She said there was no plan B for Walsh at the Euros and added she was the cog where all their play came through.
Here’s the story on Walsh, no updates as of yet:
A very star-studded sighting next from Stuart: “Many years ago, I was at the theatre to see Sir Ian McKellen in King Lear. During the interval I went to the gents and standing at the urinals was a dark haired and bearded gentleman. I glance up and it was revealed it to be Alan Rickman!! We shared a nod and then studiously finished our business and went our separate ways. At the end of the performance I bumped into him again and again a wordless nod was shared.”
Keira Walsh was spotted on the sidelines after being stretchered off, she was on crutches:
Wiegman has spoken to the BBC and she does not have a clear update on Walsh: “I think we started well, we played well. We had a stage in the first half where we lost balls. We had a horrible moment with Keira and the second half we had to fight. We really had to fight for the win and I am really proud of the team. For me it doesn’t matter who scores the goals. LJ made a very beautiful goal. I can’t tell you anything about Walsh, if you can’t walk off the pitch it is serious. I haven’t heard anything yet. You have to move on with the game and now we can see how she is. I think they did a great job but of course it’s not nice to see a player on the pitch who needed to be subbed. I think the team picked up well.”
Updated
Lauren James had her first start at a major tournament today and scored her first goal. take a look at the screamer (the clip is from the BBC so some may not have access):
Lauren James, take a bow 🔥
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 28, 2023
What a way to mark your first start in a major international tournament 👏#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/TuhnmRJ1bk
James told the BBC: “It was a dream, it is something I have been thinking about! I had a thought but as soon as it hit the net it was a relief. They were happy for me, they said it before the game they had a good feeling about me today. I am calm all around, on and off the pitch.”
Updated
So England top the group and will qualify for the last 16 if China don’t win. That kick-off coming in half-an-hour, you can catch all the action:
England’s attack needs to be more clinical, they had so many chances in the first half to make that second half more comfortable. They also look very vulnerable in the defensive line, particularly with captain Bright not yet to their best. Denmark are a team that definitely grow into the game, they had chance after chance with Vangsgaard almost getting a late equaliser.
Full-time! England 1-0 Denmark
England do come away with the three points but for most of that second half they looked the shadow of the dominant and confident team of the first half. The James goal the difference.
Updated
90 + 4 min: Coombs has it forward and Kelly does well to pressure Veje to win a throw. The game management coming into play now as they lose out in possession but England gets the foul.
90 + 2 min: James wanted a foul there but it has gone Denmark’s way. England just need to crowd out their opposition, the space they are allowing them is criminal! Veje, who has been really good all match, has a long range effort but Earps collects.
90 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added. Time for Denmark, England would have wanted that to be less.
90 min: The desperation for this game to end from England shown as they just volley it up the field with no direction. Denmark work it well and N Sorensen gets in a great position but she can’t keep it in play.
89 min: Denmark make another change as Troelsgaard is off for Holmsgaard. England are sluggish now and if Denmark are a bit more clinical they could get something from this.
88 min: Denmark players are being allowed so much space when on the ball, it comes in to Vangsgaard who whip it in and it’s off the bar! So close to her heroics again.
86 min: Daly with a loose pass and Denmark are on the attack. A ball is thundered in, dangerous! But Daly makes up for her error with a good clearance. Denmark aren’t done here.
86 min: James with an incredible pass to Kelly, she lays it back to Bronze who has a long range effort which is wide.
85 min: England do still look deadly going forward but there is more a sense they are clinging on for the win here. They had the chances in the first half to be two or three nil up. A ball is popped over the top and England almost gets to it but Christensen confidently takes it.
83 min: Hemp is on the ball and Denmark commit two players to her, it allows Daly to send the ball in unmarked. England rises but the effort is wide. Denmark are now having their own pop at goal, Bright clearing.
82 min: Thomsen is okay to continue, she touches her jaw as she gets back onto the pitch following treatment. Bronze does well to close down an emerging Denmark attack.
80 min: Lovely turn from Daly but Thomsen takes a hit and she needs some attention, she ran into her own teammate.
Updated
78 min: Interesting call from Wiegman to put England on, shows she wants Daly at the back in this match. England on the ball but building from deep.
77 min: England make changes with England and Hemp on for Toone and Russo. A lovely sight to see England get some tournament minutes after not playing last summer. Denmark make changes with Madsen and Ballisager off for Thorgersen and N Sorensen.
76 min: Veje has been a key player for Denmark today but this time gives away a foul on Kelly. England run it back to Earps and manage to build to a good position once more with a pass to Toone. But Kuhl sees it out for a goal kick.
74 min: Veje takes the kick into a crowded box but it is straight over the bar. Earps tells her teammates to calm down.
73 min: Veje has an incredible cross in and it’s on target, what an effort. Earps has her eyes on it and makes a great save, it is out for a corner.
73 min: Russo does well to win the ball and takes it for herself but hits the side netting. England come again though and are being more patient on the ball but it is wasted with another poor pass from Bright. The captain has got worse as the game has progressed, maybe still rusty after her long time out with injury.
Updated
71 min: Denmark are getting more of a foot in this by the second and here is a change which could make a difference on the scoreboard. Vangsgaard is on for Hasbo – Vangsgaard scored a last-minute winner against China in their opening match.
70 min: Stanway wins it in a good position and lays it off to Kelly, she should have taken a shot but she takes too long on the ball and Denmark can crowd it out.
69 min: Bright loose with the ball again, a few errors from her, but Bronze clears. Denmark are quick to win it back again though, their ball recovery is so dangerous right now. It is popped into the box but England are able to clear – for now.
68 min: Denmark’s first corner and it is in from Thomsen but Greenwood clears. Kuhl pings it into the box after some throw ins but it is cleared for now, Denmark keep coming though. Ballisager tries to put her team on the front foot with a long range pass but it is straight out.
66 min: Denmark win it back and Harder makes a great run into the box, Bronze closes down a pass from the Dane captain which is out for a corner.
Updated
66 min: Wiegman having some conversations on the bench with her back room staff but no sign of any changes yet. Denmark win a free kick on halfway and Veje takes it, it’s a good delivery but has a bit too much on it and Thomsen runs to try and keep it in. Daly does well though to run with her and win the foul.
64 min: James is taken out it seems but the decision goes against her and rightly so! Denmark have good build-up play as they try to unlock England’s backline.
62 min: Coombs lays the ball off, trying to find Greenwood but Veje sees it out for a throw. It comes into the box and Russo does well to keep it in but she is judged offside.
60 min: Coombs has slotted into the midfield position well, England are missing Walsh’s long range passes but the Manchester City player is doing well as a sub. Juan has got in touch and said: “I was in NY in the winter of 1985 and got into a second-hand bookstore that opened late. There was only the clerk, this man and myself, as it was quite late (what with the city that never sleeps etc.). I kept looking sideways at the man because I thought I knew him from somewhere, but I wanted to look cool and not stare. That is, until the man came to me, smiled and said “Yes, it IS me” in a baritone voice, before giving me a wink and making it to the door. That was John Rhys-Davies for you, fresh from his Indiana Jones fame, and the nicest ham I ever met.”
Updated
58 min: Greenwood to take and she sends it in, Bronze leaps into the air but it is wide. She stays on the floor as she clatters to the floor but she is okay to continue.
57 min: Greenwood is over the ball and it is a good delivery, Bronze can’t get a clean touch to it but it’s out from Harder for another corner. Kelly is over this corner but it is cleared by Kuhl, conceding another corner.
56 min: James does well to win the ball back as Sevecke trips her. England are less lethal with the ball and possession is going end-to-end at the moment. The crowd cheers as England do set up a good chance to James, she wins a corner.
54 min: England have continued to dominate but Denmark are looking clinical and dangerous when on the ball.
53 min: A poor long ball from England gifts Denmark possession and Thomsen has space on the ball. She makes a good run and passes to Kuhl who gets a shot away. Her punt isn’t powerful enough to trouble Earps and she collects.
52 min: Greenwood does really well to recover a sloppy pass from Bright who almost gave Harder the ball on a plate in front of goal. England work it up and Kelly crosses in but Veje clears.
50 min: Bronze the next England player to ping it in but her cross has too much on it and it’s out. Possession exchanging hands quite quickly at the moment.
49 min: Denmark have a free kick on halfway, Ballisager takes it but England clear – the delivery does not quite reach the box. England are able to peel away and counter through Kelly. She plays Russo but the chance is wasted as Denmark clear.
48 min: Greenwood pings it in but Toone’s header is over the bar. Bronze is unhappy, I think she feels she was fouled but nothing is given.
Updated
47 min: England win it high up the pitch and they get it into the box, Boye sees it out for a corner. Kelly over the corner ball and it is a good delivery! It pinballs around though and Ballisager clears. Another corner to come.
Back underway! England 1-0 Denmark
Action is back! Can England keep the winning scoreline? Or will Denmark build back into this? We will soon find out.
Tom has got in touch and added on the surface: “What type of surface is the game being played on? I ask because was Lauren James’ face plant after her failed knee-slide a portent of Keira Walsh’s injury? Is it grass or a hybrid?” I believe it is grass but it extremely dry.
Some asking for an update on Walsh, nothing has come out of the England camp yet and I doubt we will have a clear update for a while. Wiegman may have one in her post-match conference. Jonas Eidevall has said the pitch condition could have been a factor.
Robert has got in touch and has given the best celebrity sighting so far! He said: “Some of my friends were in Monaco, after a football match. They were in a bar in the old part of town, when some bloke walked in and sat down at the next table. One of the lads looked over and tapped him on the shoulder. Assuming the guy was French, he said in his best English to French translation - IE LOUD - “F**k me, mate, you look like Jack Nicholson!”. And the guy took off his Wayfarers and said “Well f**k me, mate, I AM Jack Nicholson”. And he was. They sat with him for a couple of hours and said he was an absolute delight. And I missed it.” That is heartbreaking you missed it!
Here is a clip of Walsh’s injury (from the BBC so some may not have access), she seems to say “I’ve done my knee”. Something no one wants to see, we all hope Walsh is okay:
Kiera Walsh just knew she'd done some damage, could it be the last time we see her in the 2023 #FIFAWWC?
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 28, 2023
We wish her a speedy recovery#ENG #DEN pic.twitter.com/lIis413swy
Half-time! England 1-0 Denmark
England are on top after a beautiful goal from James but it hasn’t been all good news as Keira Walsh was stretchered off with injury. Despite not having a lot of the ball Denmark have looked dangerous when given the opportunity, a long way to go in this match.
45 + 5 min: Kelly’s delivery has way too much on it, a wasted opportunity there.
45 + 5 min: England come forward again and Kelly wins a foul from Veje in a great position. Kelly will take the set piece.
45 + 3 min: Kelly gets a good ball to Bronze, she has a great run but Denmark swarm in the box to clear.
45 + 1 min: Denmark work it upfield now and Madsen gets a cross in. Harder and Daly rise but the Denmark captain fouls Daly. She is down for a moment but she is okay to continue. There are four minutes added.
45 min: Daly does well to win a foul, England having great game management at the moment. They have kept the ball and won it in moments they looked vulnerable. James, a reader not Lauren from the pitch, has got in touch and said: “I once sat opposite Andrew Lincoln (pre-Walking Dead) on a Northern Line journey from Highgate to Oval. He’s one of my favourite actors, so naturally I played it cool, gave him a nod, and left him to read his giant hardcover book on British history. Towards the end of the trip (somewhere around Elephant and Castle) a girl got on, saw him, and screamed “OH MY GOD! IT’S SIMON FROM TEACHERS!!” and the rest of his journey was not as peaceful.” Oh gosh I can imagine!
Updated
44 min: Stanway goes for the ball but accidentally kicks Harder in the chest, some contact to the head. Harder is down for a moment but she is okay to continue, no treatment needed. Coombs gets a good pass to Russo, it comes to Coombs again and she wins a foul. A good start from Coombs, calm and collected.
42 min: James does well to win the ball but Daly losses it immediately after, the ball is punted across goal but no Denmark player is there to see it home.
40 min: How this will effect England will be interesting, can they keep the pace up? This is quite hard for players to deal with but they have managed the injuries of Williamson, Kirby and Mead well. It will effect Denmark too as they would have prepped for Walsh to be playing 90 minutes.
38 min: Walsh is being stretchered off, this is a horrible sight. She has her hands on her head, we all hope that is not what we all think. Coombs is on in her place.
37 min: I think Walsh will be off here and England fans will be hoping that is not an ACL injury. She would join Beth Mead and Leah Williamson if it is. Walsh is England’s key player, she is crying and is being put on a stretcher. Get well soon Walsh!
Updated
35 min: Veje cuts out a James cross and Denmark look to counter. Walsh gets back and stretches in a tackle and she is not happy here. She tells her teammates to stop touching her, she is in some pain.
Updated
34 min: Russo passes to James who tries to find Toone in the box but it is cleared. They have a prolonged build-up but Daly eventually gets a long range cross in. Bronze makes a good run but Veje defends so well to challenge her and not concede a corner.
32 min: Let’s hear another celebrity sighting shall we, Richard has emailed: “In the 90s I used to work in a coffee shop in Selfridges as a Saturday job. Once served Paul Weller coffee - he was wearing a white suit!” Now that is a sighting! Back to the game and Denmark have a free kick. It’s launched into the box by Veje but it’s straight out.
31 min: It is pinged in and Bronze gets a head to it but it is just over the bar.
30 min: England work the ball to a good area and Kelly wins a corner, she is going to take it herself.
30 min: Kelly does well to win a foul from Holmgaard, taking a bit of momentum out of Denmark’s game. They have settled in this after conceding the early goal.
Updated
29 min: A thundering ball from Bright comes to James, she can’t find a way past Sevecke and so opts for the back pass. Bronze crosses but Holmgaard reads the play well and she counters! She makes a great run and passes to Harder who gets a shot away but Earps saves. The loose defence from England is a problem.
27 min: Another defensive error, this time from Greenwood as Thomsen wins it in a great position. She pops a chance in but it is over the bar.
26 min: Daly gets a punt into the box but Boye heads away – she has saved a fair few chances so far!
25 min: Daly gives away the ball to Kuhl and they thread the ball up field. She cross to Madsen in the box and she has a storming chance! Earps was stretching but it is wide – a a great chance there! That was Denmark’s first touch in the penalty area. John has got in touch and said: “I was in Hamlets with my children and as we went through the stuffed animals section, there was a tired man in a raincoat sitting in a corner, looking miserable and bored. Charles Aznavour.” I did have to Google this one but realised who he was after!
24 min: Stanway gets a good ball to Toone just outside of the area and she attempts a shot, it is right at Christensen who saves. England are patient in their build-up to their next chance but Boye, who has done well in her defensive role, clears it once again.
22 min: Veje’s header in the box is loose and it comes to Bronze, she lays it off to James who gets a shot away. This time it is easy for Christensen to save. It is all England at the moment as they cross it in once again and James gets a knee to it but the keeper and Sevecke does well to keep it out.
20 min: Bronze makes an error as she hits it out of play in a good position for Denmark. However, England’s defensive line win it back quickly.
Updated
19 min: Some lovely touches from Bronze, it’s like England are a cat and Denmark are the cat toy at the moment! England manage to get into the box but Boye marshals it out of play for a goal kick. Sam Ellis has tweeted me about celebrity sightings, saying: “I’m a Glasgow-based Norwich City fan, so imagine my joy at walking through the city on my way to work one morning, and stumbling across ‘Hammer of the Tractor Boys’ Grant Holt on a shopping trip with his family.” I am loving these celebrity stories, keep them coming!
18 min: The ball comes into England’s half but it is straight out from Denmark and England can come again. They work it up the pitch and Bronze wants a foul but it isn’t given.
16 min: Bronze crosses in this time but Sevecke heads away. England keep coming, working around the area but Harder wins possession from a foul from Walsh.
15 min: James again on the ball, she is having an amazing game so far, but this time she chooses to go backwards as England remain patient on the ball. Stanway gets a cross in, aiming for Bronze but Veje heads away.
14 min: Greenwood takes it, Bright takes a header but it is cleared. England run it back to halfway.
13 min: Toone is in the box, she can’t get a cross away with good defence. It comes back in but Boye does well to clear the ball. England win another corner, the atmosphere is scintillating in the stadium! A packed out one at that.
12 min: Denmark may be a bit shook from the fast paced start here, they will need to settle and breathe. They can’t allow England to have space on the ball – the physical start worked well initially.
10 min: Greenwood takes the corner, it is taken short to Kelly and it doesn’t really work but Kelly wins another corner. The Manchester City star is over the set piece again, this time it is straight into the box. Bronze has a header and Kelly tries an overhead but it’s wide.
9 min: Here come England again and Daly wins a corner! Barry has emailed and his celebrity sighting was a surprise for him: “I was visiting friends in Sheffield in 2004 and we were in restaurant near the Crucible Theatre for lunch, but struggled to find a seat. A very well dressed, urbane older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard offered us his table as he was just finishing up his lunch. We didn’t think anything of it, thanked him and off he went. I wanted to go into the Crucible as I was a big snooker fan and we popped in. Said older gentleman was adorning a poster for a play and it was none other than legendary In the Night Garden narrator, Sir Derek Jacobi! Mind blown.” Oh my gosh! What a fun surprise for you, a great story.
8 min: Wow, England were being boxed out on the right so they pass to James who takes a touch and rifles the shot off. Huge! Wiegman vindicated in her selection. Earps makes a save up the other end as Denmark try to hit back quickly through Veje.
GOAL! England 1-0 Denmark (James, 6')
JAMES WITH A SCREAMER! Wow, she volleys it from long range. My mouth is open!!
Updated
6 min: Walsh with a great ball forward, like that of her cross to Toone in the Euro final, and while it comes to Kelly Veje does well defensively to win it back.
4 min: James’ footwork is delightful, she works the ball well around the box but her cross in is not as successful – it is out for a goal kick. From the kick Denmark try to build from the back but they are pushed off the ball with England winning it back. Possession is bouncing around between the teams at the moment!
2 min: A really physical start from Denmark, they are muscling England off the ball at the moment. Stanway looks a little uncomfortable for a moment but she is okay to continue. Richard has got in touch and corrected me: “If England win they will also qualify if Haiti win their game, because only one of Haiti and Denmark could get to six points.” Apologies all! But good to note, thank you Richard.
Kick-off! England 0-0 Denmark
Well here we go! Both teams can take a step forward towards the knock-out stages with a win today but will a victory be found? All the action to come. And Mary we may know why the guitarist jogged away from you, Charles has said: “If Mary called him Skunk, no wonder he ran off - he famously hated the nickname (who wouldn’t?) and preferred to be called Jeff. Not a very rock star name, but, y’know, better than Skunk.”
Fara Williams has predicted a 3-0 England win with Jonas Eidevall guessing 2-1 and Ellen White 2-0. They are all having England as winners but Denmark could cause an upset.
The teams are out and the anthems will soon follow, then kick-off! Omar has emailed and said: “Back in the early 00s I was living in London. Went over to my girlfriend’s flat and there was Tony Robinson in the kitchen fixing the boiler. Turned out her flatmate was Tony’s daughter. To this day I regret not saying ‘I have a cunning plan to fix the boiler, my lord’. Instead I mumbled something incoherent and fled.” The effect celebrities have! Maybe he is reading this and is appreciating the line now.
More information on Pernille Harder here:
Mary has got in touch about a celebrity sighting, saying: “Greetings from California. Looking forward to the football but I do have a single story of meeting a celebrity. Sort of. I grew up in Southern California and went to Westwood to catch a film, had dinner at an upscale restaurant. Came out of the loo, and literally bumped into Skunk Baxter, guitarist for Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, studio gun for hire. “Love your Work” he nodded and walked away as fast as he could.” The visual I have of him almost running away has made my morning!
England coach Sarina Wiegman has said: “We talked about ruthlessness and we also said what that is. We talked about coming into the final third, the crosses being right, coming into the box at the right time and we worked on that. Today looked really good actually. We’re looking forward to the game.” And she added on Harder: “We don’t prepare just for one player. Denmark is a very well organised team with a clear game plan in and out of possession. We will try to have the ball a lot and play our style, try to dominate.”
Denmark coach Lars Søndergaard has said: “Sometimes when you enter a match you are underdogs and you need to perform well against a superpower such as England. It’s easier said than done, but there’s a World Cup every four years, you don’t get many of these opportunities. It would be a mortal sin not to enjoy it. It’s a fantastic occasion for us. We are looking forward to the game. It will be difficult as England are a very good team, European champions. We are the underdogs, but still looking forward to it and we hope that there will be a surprise.”
A bit of news for you to catch up with:
I met Sir Ian McKellen yesterday at stage door after his play in Bath, such a surreal moment! It got me thinking about celebrity sightings, let me know yours! Have you seen an actor in a supermarket? A footballer walking down the street? Tell me via Twitter or email.
There has already been a match played today between South Africa and Argentina and it was a thriller! Catch up with all the action:
Here are the star players from both teams. The graphics are from our guide to all 736 players at the tournament, if you want to learn more about someone specific click the link through to the page:
And some info on Denamrk’s coach: “The well-liked Lars Søndergaard will say his farewell after the World Cup. The 64-year-old has overseen the national team since December 2017. “I’ve had an amazing time and it has been an honour,” he said. Having previously coached Danish clubs such as AaB, Viborg and SønderjyskE, as well as several Austrian sides, this was his first time coaching women. He said early on that he did not see any major differences between coaching a women’s side and a men’s team, apart from one. “The female players ask a lot more questions and want to talk everything though,” he said. “It is very positive, but it was something that I needed to get used to.”” Read the full piece:
Here’s a bit on England’s rising star from our team guide: “At age 20, Brighton winger Katie Robinson is the baby of the squad. Robinson is Cornish and grew up in Newquay where she still enjoys bodyboarding and surfing. “I’m happiest when I’ve got the ball at my feet and I’m running at a defender,” says the former Bristol City player who could prove an important impact substitute in this tournament. Has recovered splendidly from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture which sidelined her for almost the entire 2020-21 season and has already acquired five senior caps.” Read the full piece:
Denmark team news is here! They only make one change to their starting team with Madsen coming in for N Sorensen. Goal scorer against China Vansgagaard starts from the bench once again.
Denmark starting XI: Christensen, Hasbo, Ballisager, Sevecke, Boye, Holmgaard, Harder, Veje, Kuhl, Madsen, Thomsen
Subs: Troelsgaard, Snerle, Vangsgaard, Thrige, Sorensen, Thogersen, Larsen, Gevitz, Bruun, Gejl, Bay Ostergaard, Svava.
🇩🇰 Danmarks startopstilling 🇩🇰
— Fodboldlandsholdene 🇩🇰 (@dbulandshold) July 28, 2023
Her er de startende 11 i VM-braget mod England 💪
Se kampen på TV3 fra kl. 9.30 med kick-off 10.30.#ForDanmark #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/gPeX5koogn
A lot of people in the media and fans wanted to see Lauren James in the team after her introduction against Haiti lifted the performance. Rachel Daly will also be happy with a start after showing frustration at being on the bench in the last match, it is as a defender though. As for those benched, I don’t think Lauren Hemp or Jess Carter had a bad game – I think this is a result of tactics rather than poor performances. With both Alessia Russo and Daly on the pitch will we see an appearance from Beth England?
The team news is in! England have made two changes with Carter and Hemp benched and James and Daly coming into the starting line-up.
England starting XI: Earps, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Bright, James, Stanway, Daly, Toone, Kelly, Russo
Subs: Charles, Hemp, Nobbs, Hampton, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Carter, Coombs, England, Zelem, Roebuck, Robinson.
Denmark’s team news to come!
Your #Lionesses to play Denmark! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NWE8pMCHYX
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2023
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to this Group D match between England and Denmark. One of these sides could secure a spot in the last 16 today but we won’t have that confirmed until Haiti and Chine, the other two countries in this group, play later on.
England and Denmark are on three points each after cementing wins in their opening fixtures. If one of the nations wins this match and the China v Haiti game is a draw then the victor of England v Denmark will progress.
This is arguable England and Denmark’s most difficult games of the group. Both sides possess good game plans and great players to boot. The Lionesses will have to disarm Pernille Harder, Denmark’s captain and most lethal threat. Denmark, meanwhile, will have to stop play linking to Keira Walsh. Haiti did so skilfully in their match and it thwarted England’s play significantly.
The match will be getting underway in an hour’s time and the team’s will release their starting XI’s shortly! Stay tuned for updates.
