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Michael Church

China’s quest for a place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup ended in ignominy in Adelaide on Tuesday as they suffered a 6-1 thrashing against a dominant England, with the Asian champions failing for the first time to qualify for the knockout rounds.
First-half goals from Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James made a mockery of China’s prematch hopes for a win that would potentially take them into the last 16 as Shui Qingxia’s side were overwhelmed by English physicality and precision.
Wang Shuang’s 57th-minute penalty gave China the briefest glimmer of hope that was quickly doused by a second from the outstanding James, while Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly completed the comprehensive rout.
The loss means China exit the competition, finishing in third place in Group D. It is the first time in eight appearances at the finals that the Steel Roses have fallen in the opening phase.

Wang, scorer of China’s winner against Haiti, replaced suspended playmaker Zhang Rui in Shui’s line-up, the first time the former Paris Saint-Germain forward has started at the tournament. But for all the expectation, she barely featured in the opening 45 minutes.
Instead the European champions were quickly making short work of China’s defence and, in the fourth minute, Hemp turned Li Mengwen to deliver a cross that was cleared to James, whose delicate through-ball found Russo with enough space to pick her spot in the bottom corner.
US survive stoppage-time scare at Fifa Women’s World Cup to scrape into last 16
Sarina Wiegman’s side threatened to do further damage down the same flank moments later, Russo again outstripping Li, but this time her low centre was perhaps too well struck and flew untouched across the face of Zhu Yu’s goal.
Hemp doubled her side’s advantage in the 26th minute, Millie Bright storming out of defence to claim possession and supply James, who in turn slipped a pass through to Hemp and, after a deft first touch, the 22-year-old stroked past Zhu.
Four minutes before the interval the gulf between the sides turned into a chasm. Alex Greenwood found James unmarked with her free kick from the right and the Chelsea midfielder struck with confidence.
The Chinese barely ventured meaningfully into English territory with Georgia Stanway and Bright dictating the tempo in the centre. Li Mingwen provided a rare chance late in the half, but Wu Chengshu was unable to connect with the cross from the right.

Referee Casey Reibelt momentarily spared China further humiliation when she ruled out a second for James in first half added time after consulting the pitchside monitor, and early in the second half the Australian intervened again, this time to give Shui’s side a penalty.
Mary Earps, a bystander throughout the first 53 minutes, had reacted smartly to save Wu’s shot from distance but from the resulting corner Lucy Bronze’s handball – seen by Reibelt on the pitchside monitor – earned China a penalty that Wang converted.
The goal briefly boosted the Chinese, with the red-clad thousands in Hindmarsh Stadium raising the noise levels every time the Steel Roses went forward.

Yang Lina almost pulled another back, firing just over the bar from outside the area.
It was to be a fleeting rekindling of hope, however, James restoring England’s three-goal cushion with a measured volley from 10 yards out as the second half approached the midway point.
Kelly added the fifth with 13 minutes remaining when the advancing Zhu misread James’ ball forward to leave the substitute to roll the ball into the empty net and Daly smashed in the sixth with six minutes remaining as China were utterly outclassed.


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Fifa Women's World Cup

Fifa Women’s World Cup: sorry China suffer early exit after 6-1 mauling by England’s Lionesses

China’s Zhang Linyan reacts during 6-1 defeat by England at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Adelaide, Australia. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Shen Mengyu and England’s Jess Carter react. Photo: Reuters

England’s Lauren James celebrates scoring her side’s third goal. Photo: dpa

China’s Wang Shuang celebrates scoring her side’s first goal. Photo: dpa

Fifa Women’s World Cup: holders US survive major scare before draw with Portugal sends them into knockout round

Portugal’s Andreia Norton (centre), controls the ball as United States’ Rose Lavelle (left) and Emily Fox watch during Group E match. Photo: AP

United States’ Julie Ertz (right) kicks the ball away Portugal during the Women’s World Cup match. Photo: AP

Portugal’s Jessica Silva falls onto the pitch during the Group E match against the US, in New Zealand. Photo: EPA-EFE

Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira (centre) punches the ball clear in the Group E match against the US Photo: AP

Fifa Women’s World Cup: Philippines coaches will not renew contracts after guiding team to historic debut

Philippines’ coach Alen Stajcic reacts during a match against Norway in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: AFP

Philippines coach Alen Stajcic (right) reacts after his side’s heavy defeat at the hands of Norway. Photo: EPA-EFE

Fifa Women’s World Cup: China could unleash Wang Shuang for must-win clash with England

China’s Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Fifa Women’s World Cup group D match against Haiti in Adelaide, Australia. Photo: AP

Wang Shuang (left) in action during a training session ahead of the group D match between China and England. Photo: Xinhua

Zhang Rui (right) of China is sent off during the group D match against Haiti at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Adelaide, Australia. Photo: Xinhua

Head coach Shui Qingxia (centre) talks to her players during a training session ahead of the group D match against England. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa Women’s World Cup: Australia thrash Canada 4-0 to storm into last 16 with Hayley Raso at the double

Australia’s Hayley Raso celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal during the Women’s World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada. Photo: AP

Australia’s Hayley Raso, kneeling, celebrates after scoring the opening goal. Photo: AP

Australia’s Alanna Kennedy celebrates after teammate Hayley Raso scores their second. Photo: AP

Nigeria’s Blessing Demehin, back, celebrates with Osinachi Ohale. Photo: AP

Sport

Football

China

Lauren James at the double as Lionesses run riot against Steel Roses in Adelaide to seal their place in the last 16
Wang Shuang grabs consolation from penalty spot in second half as China limp out of tournament in group stage for first time


Lionesses run riot against in Adelaide to seal their place in the last 16, as Steel Roses limp out in group phase for the first time.


Haiti

Adelaide