Lionesses roar into early lead: England go 1-0 up against China after just FOUR minutes in final World Cup group game as they bid to make knockout stages

England fans roared their team off to a fantastic start to their final World Cup group game match against China on Tuesday, with a goal in just four minutes as they hope to top their group and determine who they play in the last 16. 

Striker Alessia Russo got her foot to the ball after a sustained charge towards the Chinese defence which left the Lionesses 1-0 up. 

England boss Sarina Wiegman made three changes to her starting line-up to face China in the Lionesses’ final Group D contest. 

Supporters of the Lionesses were getting the pints in hours ahead of the match in Australia on Tuesday, which kicks off at 12pm UK time, but those who made the long journey across the world were packing into pubs before a long night of football.

England flags, posters and even hair cuts were spotted in local pubs and around the stadium ahead of the clash at the Hindmarsh stadium in Adelaide, with two early wins for the team putting fans in high spirits.

The Lionesses beat Haiti and Denmark in their opening group games, although faced a potentially vital loss after midfielder Keira Walsh went down with a knee injury early in the second match.

It took less than five minutes for England star Alessia Russo to get her boot to a superb cross from Lauren James and strike it home, taking the team to a 1-0 lead. 

Following her first ever World Cup goal, the team took confidence and she almost had a hand in a second after a strike from Lauren Hemp just missed the target in the thirteenth minute. 

They maintained dominance in the opening minutes as the team adapted well to the lack of Walsh in the squad. 

A free kick in minute 19 gave England another opportunity, but they were uable to capitalise, giving China a chance to have their own surge forward. 

Fans arriving early outside the stadium sported dramatic face paint, flags and banners as they geared up for what they hoped would be a night of celebrations. 

Chinese fans were also well-represented, some even bringing inflatable dragons.

The English players looked relaxed as they walked the pitch before heading down the tunnel ahead of the game, while their coach appeared calm and collected – perhaps thinking of happy memories when the team won the Euros a year and a day ago.

Fans began filling up the stadium in Adelaide around an hour before the scheduled 12pm kick off in the 15,000-capacity stadium. 

Katie Zelem started in the World Cup for the first time, while Jess Carter and Lauren Hemp returned to the starting XI.

The injured Keira Walsh remained at England’s Terrigal base, while Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly were among the substitutes after starting against Denmark.

An ACL rupture is one of the worst injuries a player can receive and had already ruled out Beth Mead and Lucy Williamson from the World Cup squad after their dominant presence in the Euros.

Walsh crumpled to the floor in the 38th minute of the clash with Denmark after her studs caught in the turf. 

The midfielder was clearly ion agony as she gestured towards the bench, mouthing the words ‘I’ve done my knee’ to England’s medical staff, before leaving the pitch in tears on a stretcher.

But following a scan, it was confirmed that the injury was not as bad as first feared although she must rest during England’s final group game against China on Tuesday.

Walsh was seen as a key player with vital experience ahead of the tournament, and appeared in all but four minutes of the Lionesses’ Euros campaign. 

It comes ahead of a crucial match which will determine who England face in the last 16.

China won their most recent game against Haiti 1-0, but lost out to Denmark, who England beat last week. 

Instead of Walsh Stanway, 24, will take the reigns of the No 6 shirt, which will require more defensive work and take on the responsibility of being the seamless link between the attacking and defensive team members.

Speaking with reporters on Monday ahead of the game, Stanway said: ‘I think for me it’s just covering that discipline element into the game, knowing I don’t always have to be running to help with the attack.

‘It’s just knowing I need to protect the back four too. That position comes naturally to me because I’ve played it a little bit at club. 

‘I’ve played alongside Keira [Walsh] who is the best teacher without knowing it. Going into (Tuesday) it’s about communicating in the middle of the pitch.

‘I speak to Keira 24/7. To be honest it’s about 10 minutes of football-related stuff and the rest is just rubbish. I’m sure she will be giving me some tips and I’m sure the message will be to perform in the game. She’s got trust in whoever is going to be on the pitch.’

Should England win or draw the match and thus get the point they need to top their group they will avoid a last 16 clash with Australia and instead face Nigeria.

But the loss of Walsh could prove challenging for their opponents too. Previously squads had realised that marking Walsh and preventing her from getting a foot to the ball was a sure way to make England’s game that much harder.

Without her, it remains to be seen whether China will continue the strategy and block Stanway instead, or resort to other game plans.

England are already missing Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby due to injury but losing Walsh for the remainder of the tournament would be a significant blow. The midfielder has missed just two games since October 2021. 

Coach Sarina Wiegman, however, dismissed suggestions that playing without Walsh was a major problem for England. 

And England players were similarly positive.

‘Initially it was heartbreaking, you always fear the worst in those situations,’ Rachel Daly admitted.

‘She’s such a pivotal part of our team on and off the pitch. It’s tough, it’s not nice to see anyone get injured.

‘It’s obviously difficult losing a player of her ability and the quality she brings.’

Daly continued: ‘Obviously things will have to change but it’s a team game and we have to get on with it and ultimately get the job done for Keira as well.

‘I think everyone is in better spirits going into the game knowing that we need to get the job done.

‘I think what you saw on Friday was the resilient side that we had. It was obviously so difficult losing her but we have players to step into that role.

‘No one is going to replace somebody else, everybody brings something different to the role. I think everyone will step up for her.’