Rising Star Lauren James Shines in Lionesses' World Cup Triumph, but Keira Walsh Knock Spells Concern

Intensity improved

We analyze England's Women's World Cup Group D clash with Denmark, where a skillfully executed goal by Lauren James secured the Lionesses their second victory of the tournament.

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Lucy Bronze displayed high energy and constant movement on England's right flank. In their second Group D game, England commenced with a rapid and vigorous start, surpassing the pace, tempo, and intensity they showcased in their entire match against Haiti.

Sarina Wiegman issued a clear instruction: improve. While this seems straightforward in theory, it proved to be challenging during a crucial tournament final, particularly after complacency had set in. Wiegman was determined not to let the standards decline any further.

And then came the reaction. England pushed Denmark to defend deep and early, causing them to struggle. Lauren James played with exceptional energy, forming a strong partnership with the relentless Rachel Daly, while Georgia Stanway hardly made any mistakes following Keira Walsh's unfortunate exit. The passes became more precise, the movement became sharper, and the overall performance became more impressive.

Walsh injury clouds result

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Keira Walsh quickly indicated to the sidelines that she was unable to continue playing after injuring her knee. It appears that England's influential player will be unable to continue competing in the tournament, as she was carried off the field after falling in the first half. She silently conveyed to England's medical team, "I've injured my knee," who promptly rushed to assist the midfielder.

A distressing and frequently observed occurrence in women's sports, where a wave of ACL injuries appears to be affecting the most prominent players worldwide.

In terms of her style of play and influence on the game, Walsh has no equal. She surpasses any other deep-lying midfielder in Europe, and possibly even globally, in asserting her authority and managing the game.

So, what options does England have? Wiegman is known for her careful preparation. She has multiple plans in place, labeled as plan A, B, and C. During the Euros, the Lionesses had the advantage of having all squad members in good health, which allowed for consistent selections. However, this time they have not been as fortunate.

Laura Coombs and Katie Zelem are both capable substitutes, but the absence of Walsh will definitely be noticeable if it is indeed confirmed that she has suffered another ACL injury.

Clincal James impresses

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Lauren James celebrates opening the scoring against Denmark

Welcome to the world stage, Lauren.

Wiegman called for more ruthlessness in the lead-up to facing Denmark. Stick James in from the start and you have got your wish.

She has become England's second-youngest scorer at a World Cup, following Jill Scott. Demonstrating the immense growth of the Chelsea star, her strike was technically sound, finding the far corner flawlessly within just six minutes. She showcased glimpses of England at their finest, brimming with energy and vibrancy, while also proving to be a dominant force in possession.

Daly deserves recognition for her positive impact on James' freedom to express herself. Daly, an Aston Villa all-rounder, effectively controlled the left flank, relieving James of any defensive responsibilities and enabling her to focus on her attacking strengths.

In the second half, James' energy slightly diminished, but overall, her World Cup debut remains quite memorable.