Lauren James registered five goal contributions as the Lioness of England crush China in their final group game to maintain a 100 per cent run in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman’s side stormed into an early lead inside the opening four minutes as Alessia Russo scores her first goal of the tournament, turning before finding the near post after a pass from Lauren James.
The lead was doubled, four minutes before the half hour mark with James again assisting another goal for the European Champions. This time, it is Lauren Hemp who got on the end of a through ball to beat both defender and Goalkeeper and make it 2-0.
James completed a hat-trick of goal contributions four minutes before the end of the normal time of the first half, hitting a first time shot that traveled past bodies before finding the far side of the net.
Shaung Wang scored a consolation for China from the spot after Lucy Bronze was penalized for a handball. The Racing Louisville player made no mistake from the spot, sending her shot down the middle with Mary Earps diving to her left and made it 3-1 three minutes before the hour mark.
James completed her brace in the 65th minute. Having had another goal disallowed in the first half, the Chelsea forward latched unto a Jessica Carter cross to restore England’s three goal cushion.
James assisted Chloe Kelly before Rachel Daly scored six minutes from time to complete the decimation of the host of the maiden edition of the tournament.
England seal top spot and are joined by Denmark, who also ended the group campaign with a win thanks to goals from Pennile Harder and Sanne Troelsgaard sealing a 2-0 victory over Haiti.
England will face Nigeria while co host, Australia, awaits Denmark in the round of 16.
Hassan Afolabi
