- England Advances to Knockout Stage with Victory Over Denmark
- Keira Walsh Injured in Match, Stretchered Off the Field
- Lionesses Hopeful for World Cup Success Despite Walsh’s Injury
The Lionesses will advance to the round of 16 if China fails to defeat Haiti in the other group match, but the national team’s campaign was dealt a setback when Keira Walsh was stretchered off with a knee injury and later spotted using crutches on the sidelines.
England defeated Denmark 1-0 in their second group match to advance to the Women’s World Cup knockout stage.
The Lionesses will advance to the round of 16 if China loses to Haiti in the other late-kickoff match.
Lauren James’ sixth-minute chip past Lene Christensen put the women’s national team ahead.
England suffered a setback as Keira Walsh was stretchered out with a knee injury before halftime.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who was an integral part of the England team that won the Euros last year, collapsed without contact in the 38th minute at the Sydney stadium and promptly requested medical assistance.
Walsh slid to retrieve the ball and felt immediate agony upon stopping. She refused assistance from her teammates while visibly crying and informing the team’s medical staff, “I’ve injured my knee.”
The Euro 2022 final’s man-of-the-match and Barcelona’s Champions League winner used crutches later.
James, who scored for England, told, “It was a dream, something I’d been thinking about, but I’m most pleased to have helped the team win.”
“However, as soon as it struck the net, I felt relief.
“(My teammates) were ecstatic for me, and to be fair, they told me before the game that they had a positive feeling about me today. I’m just grateful that I’m surrounded by good people.
“I’m generally calm on and off the pitch, and I strive to bring that calmness to my game as well; today, it showed and helped.”
England manager Sarina Wiegman stated, “I think we started well, we played well, we scored that goal, we had a brief period in the first half where we lost balls we didn’t need to lose, but we got into the game’s rhythm.”
“Then, of course, we had this terrible incident with Keira. She had to be substituted, and the second half was a battle.”
“We adapted to the new situation, we had to fight for the win, and that’s exactly what we did, so I’m very proud of the team.”
Wiegman told, praising James, who was one of two substitutions made, “For me, it doesn’t matter who scores the goals, they played well, started well, and LJ scored a very beautiful goal, so that’s very nice.”
Regarding Walsh’s injury, she stated, “It appeared severe, if you can’t walk off the pitch, it’s serious, but I’m not sure. We have just completed the exercise.
“I haven’t heard anything yet, but now that you’re in the game, it’s time to evaluate her condition and determine the next steps.”
Rachel Daly was another athlete who entered the match as a replacement for the defense.
It is an honor to compete anywhere with this team, she told.
“I am happy to wear this shirt in any position required.”
She added that she has “fingers crossed” that Walsh’s injury is not as severe as it initially appears.
Daly added, “It’s never pleasant to see anyone go off injured, but Keira is Keira, she’s an integral part of this team on and off the pitch, so I’m hoping it’s not too serious.”
One England supporter described the victory as “amazing” following the game.
Isabel Herrick remarked, “It was fantastic to score so early, but I’m ecstatic that we held on until the end.
“I believe we have the World Cup in the grasp. We have this.”
Nonetheless, not everyone was as enthusiastic. Charlotte Young, a former player for Brighton, stated that the performance “wasn’t very convincing” despite a dominant start to the match.
She stated, “I believed we would surpass our previous performance. Early in the second half, I believe we took a step backward. I don’t believe we truly dominated the contest.
“I believe we performed better after the substitutions were made, but I was nevertheless dissatisfied with our overall performance.”
Young, in response to the news that Gianni Infantino will not be present for the entirety of the World Cup, hopes he will attend the final and demonstrate “that level of support; without him doing that, [she] finds it a bit disrespectful.”
The fourth-ranked Lionesses will play China in their last group encounter on August 1.
Denmark, who opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over China, will face Haiti on the same day.
