England made their World Cup rivals sit up and pay attention to a 6-1 thrashing of China. Credit: Getty Images
Destruction England There was more than a hint of déjà vu in the work against China. As I watched Sarina Wigman's team finally arrive for this World Cup, I couldn't help but think of the glorious 90 minutes played in Brighton last July when England struggled wildly against Norway.
Then they broke through forward. to an 8-0 victory and declared themselves the team that would win the European Championship. There was a similar mood in Adelaide on Tuesday evening as England scored a landslide 6-1 victory over China.
The victory over Norway prompted England to lift the Euro trophy. Can it do the same at the World Cup? There are certainly similarities…
Reassurance after shaky 1-0 wins
There are many parallels between the two victories, but what is clear is the lackluster play that came before.
Few would have been sure of England's Euro success when they opened the tournament at Old Trafford with a nervous 1-0 victory over Austria. It's easy to forget now, but the winner, Beth Mead, had just crossed the line that day, and England barely had time to sniff the net during that even match. A few days later, this shaky picture turned to jubilation when England scored eight goals, making history as the most scored in Euro matches (men's and women's).
The scenario played out in a similar way in Australia. England started with an unconvincing 1–0 win over Haiti to equal Denmark in scoring and scoring, with mood sagging after an injury to Kira Walsh halfway through. On Tuesday, those clouds cleared nicely and truly, and a second flash of lightning put England into action, just like they did at the Euro.
From the moment Alessia Russo scored England's first goal in four minutes, victory never felt distant. in doubt. Even Lauren James' missed goal and China's penalty couldn't stop the rhythm of this team. They were ruthless.
From the moment Alessia Russo scored, England have never looked anything but dominant winners. Photo: Getty Images Big statement before the knockout
“It was the perfect performance,” cooed former English player Karen Carney in an ITV report. It was an echo of last July's riotous reaction to England destroying Norway, which was a real contender.
China wasn't treated the same in this World Cup, but England still had everything to prove qualifying for the next round on the line.
The added stress of Walsh's injuries, as well as pre-tournament defeats — captain Leah Williamson, playmaker Fran Kirby and top scorer Mead — made this victory all the more impressive. turn things around on Tuesday due to Walsh's absence. Kathy Zelem showed composure in her first World Cup start, and Wigman's decision to play back three turned out to be masterful. All the players were enthusiastic about this new formation, and despite the unfamiliar territory, there were no signs of hesitation.
While previously teams prepared for the England game by cutting off Walsh's supplies, now managers will have to try to predict Wigman's secret tactics.
In knockout football to come, Wigman knows that this new element of unpredictability and adaptability could become England's most valuable weapon.
The new line-up of Sarina Wigman and the absence of Kira Walsh mean that England can no longer be considered predictable. Photo: Getty Image/Alex Panting everyone felt important. Beth Meade's hat-trick made headlines (more on that later), but Ellen White's scoring drought and silencing her two-night doubters was just as important. Georgia Stanway also gained vital confidence under the pressure of her penalty, while youngsters Lauren Hemp and Russo also jumped in.
England were short of goals this year ahead of this tournament and were hungry for a match to prove their worth early on. It was exactly like that. Russo's goal was arguably the most important to her own morale, as it took her a little while to get used to her new role as the No. 9 starter in a major tournament. Her confident touch and finish will be a big boost.
Rachel Daley and Chloe Kelly were also important as both could be called up to the attacking starting lineup later in the tournament.
p>The absolute dominance of England's preeminent star
If 2022 was Mead's year, this year it's up to James.
With the Euro Mid Golden Boot winner out with injury, James stepped in to fill in a goal void. Last year, she was considered too inexperienced and too young to fit into Wigman's team. Now she's the creative, technically gifted genius that England is counting on to lead them to World Cup glory. Judging by the evidence, the prospect doesn't bother her either.
James didn't start England's first leg against Haiti, but she's not likely to spend much more time on the bench in Australia. Her goal saved England from Denmark — as did Mead in the first leg of the Euro against Austria — and on Tuesday she was unstoppable playing in the middle of the field against China.
Lauren James made herself known with a brilliant performance in Adelaide. Photo: Getty Images/Andy Cheung
«I felt free,» she said after the match with her trademark small, reserved smile. Her record of three goals and three assists in this tournament is more than any other player so far.
The era of Lauren James has arrived and if she can make the same impact as Mead did last year , England might win a big trophy again.
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