England consign China to earliest W Cup exit ever
Chelsea star Lauren James scored twice as European champions England swept past shellshocked China 6-1 and into the Women's World Cup last 16 on Tuesday to set up a clash with Nigeria. It equalled England's biggest-ever World Cup victory and booked them top spot in Group D, while consigning the Asian champions to their earliest ever exit. Denmark beat Haiti 2-0 in the other group game to finish second and line up a knockout-round meeting with co-hosts Australia. England made an explosive start at Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium with an instinctive finish from Manchester United striker Alessia Russo in just the fourth minute. Manchester City's Lauren Hemp and James added further goals before the break. Wang Shuang converted a second-half penalty for China, but James got her second with a sublime volley, substitute Chloe Kelly was gifted a fifth after a goalkeeper howler and Rachel Daly got in on the act as the clock ticked down. England and Japan are the only teams to win all three group games so far, reaffirming their status as among the favourites to win the World Cup. While they celebrated, China's tournament ended at the group stage for the first time ever. The Danes, playing at their first World Cup since 2007, thought they had scored early against Haiti in front of just under 18,000 in Perth but it was ruled out after a VAR review found Simone Boye was just off-side. Denmark made their early pressure count when Haiti conceded a penalty - their third at this World Cup - for handball. Skipper Pernille Harder scored from the spot. Haiti woke up and had a golden opportunity just before the half-hour, but captain Nerilia Mondesir's effort was easily saved by goalkeeper Lene Christensen. Haiti refused to go quietly in the second half and Melchie Dumornay headed weakly at Christensen from close range as they chased a first World Cup goal. Denmark sealed the deal deep in stoppage time through Sanne Troelsgaard. (AFP)