Fifa Women’s World Cup: England inch closer to last 16; Argentina defeat South Africa

England took a major step towards the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Denmark on Friday but their victory was overshadowed by a potentially serious knee injury to midfielder Keira Walsh.

Lauren James scored the only goal of the game in Sydney for the reigning European champions, bending in a superb strike from outside the box in the sixth minute.

Sarina Wiegman’s side had more of the possession and more of the chances, but they suffered an almighty fright at the end when Amalie Vangsgaard hit the post with a header.

England’s second win in as many games in Group D put them on the verge of the knockout rounds but they still need to avoid defeat in their final pool game against China on Tuesday to be sure.

England are now waiting nervously though to discover the extent of the injury suffered by Barcelona’s Walsh, who was stretchered off late in the first half.

Walsh, a key cog in the England team that won the Euro last year, stretched to intercept a pass in her own half and went down in agony.

She immediately signalled to the bench that she could not carry on.

“Of course I’m concerned because she could not walk off the pitch,” said...

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