England v Denmark as it happened: Lionesses on verge of progressing
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90'+4 The referee blows the full-time whistle.
90'+3 England win a foul deep in Denmark's half which should be enough to see them through.
90' We'll have four minutes of added time.
89' Denmark are finding space in the final third and England are beginning to look a bit weary. They need to see this one out.
88' Another dangerous cross that England fail to defend, Amalie Vangsgaard gets a head to it and the ball cannons off the post. Warning signs here for England.
86' Nicoline Sorensen crosses a dangerous ball in which is cleared away well by Rachel Daly.
82' Beth England glances a header just wide, almost an instant impact from the forward.
78' A change for Denmark too, Nicoline Sorensen comes on for Rikke Madsen.
77' Beth England comes on for Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp replaces Ella Toone.
74' Mary Earps does well keeping out a dangerous cross-shot that looked to be looping in. Denmark get the corner, which comes to nothing.
71' Alessia Russo makes a run at the Danish defence, but powers her shot wide of the post with Lauren James available for a layoff in the middle. A wasted opportunity.
70' Amalie Vangsgaard comes on for Denmark to replace Josefine Hasbo. It's certainly an attacking change.
69' Sloppy from Millie Bright who gives the ball away on the edge of the area, but Lucy Bronze gets her out of trouble. Denmark traditionally like scoring their goals in the last 30 minutes of games, so England could do with grabbing themselves another before too long. They're under the kosh right now.
66' A decent little spell for Denmark sees them earn their first corner of the game. It's floated in by Janni Thomsen but cleared by Alex Greenwood. England are being penned in a bit here though, they need to stay calm at the back.
57' Alex Greenwood goes for the outswinger and Lucy Bronze flies in, but she heads it wide of the Danish goal. England are turning up the heat again.
56' The corners are racking up for England, we're up to nine now. They need to make one of these count but so far Denmark are just about coping with them
47' England start fast again, earning an early corner. Chloe Kelly whips it in and it's cleared after a bit of a scramble. Alex Greenwood floats in the second, which Ella Toone gets her head to, but it's off target.
46' We're back underway for the second half - no changes to either side at half-time.
45'+4 The referee blows for half-time.
45'+4 Chloe Kelly sends in a free-kick from a dangerous area on the edge of the box but the ball floats harmlessly over everyone.
45' We'll have four minutes of added time in the first half.
44' After such a positive start, England have slowly allowed Denmark to stay in this game. But they're starting to impose themselves on the Danes once more as the first half draws to a close.
38' Keira Walsh sadly departs on a stretcher in what looks like another ACL injury. Fingers crossed for her. Laura Coombs comes off the bench to replace her.
35' Keira Walsh goes down after planting her foot badly. It looks like a problem with her knee, and she signals to the bench that she can't continue.
30' Chloe Kelly delivers a deep corner to a completely free Lucy Bronze, who loops her header just over the bar.
28' Denmark counter again after Lucy Bronze's pass is cut out. Pernille Harder should perhaps do better with the opportunity, she cuts in but drags her shot low into the keeper's arms - another chance goes begging for them. They'll be growing in confidence now, though.
25' Another nervy moment at the back as the bounce deceives Alex Greenwood allowing Janni Thomsen to take a shot, but she blazes it over.
23' Rachel Daly gives the ball away sloppy allowing Denmark to counter. It eventually falls to Rikke Madsen, who turns nicely but places the ball just wide of Mary Earps. A gentle reminder for the Lionesses...
21' Should've been two. Lucy Bronze loops a ball in from deep with Lauren James arriving late. Lene Christensen just about keeps her out, but it feels like more goals are coming.
18' England have made an excellent start - the stats are showing they've had 80% possession. The Danes are looking a bit shell-shocked here.
12' Lauren James is causing all sorts of problems down the left-hand side for England. Denmark are still struggling to get out of their own penalty box.
9' England are looking confident. Alex Greenwood delivers a corner which, after a brief ricochet, sees Alessia Russo attempt an audacious overhead kick that flies over the bar.
6' Goal! 1-0. Lauren James picks up the ball on the edge of Denmark's box before firing a sublime effort into the top right corner from distance. A great start for the Lionesses.
3' England make a positive start with most of the game being played in Denmark's half so far.
1' The match kicks off.
Starting line-ups
Match preview
Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty eventually proved the difference, but Sarina Wiegman’s side were also indebted to some fine saves from goalkeeper Mary Earps to preserve their victory.
Still, no team can win or lose a WWC on the first matchday and with three points in the bag, the Lionesses know they must improve as they bid to make it three consecutive top-four finishes at this tournament.
Next up is the latest instalment in a series of closely-fought head-to-head contests this century with Denmark (FIFA rank: #13), none of which featured more than three goals (W4, L1).
The Danes left it late in their first WWC appearance since 2007, with Amalie Vangsgaard netting in the closing stages to secure a 1-0 win over China, a game in which they didn’t register a shot on target until after half-time. But growing into matches has been a theme for the Red and Whites, who haven’t netted a first-half goal in any of their last four internationals (W3, L1)!
As Lars Søndergaard’s side haven’t struck before the break against England in any of those aforementioned five most recent head-to-heads, that’s one pattern they might need to end if they’re to prevail.
Another trend they’d like to overturn is losing all three previous WWC matches against fellow UEFA representatives, albeit on each occasion they did at least get on the scoresheet.
Players to watch: England’s Alessia Russo looked dangerous against Haiti and another strike for her could be a good omen as her country has won all eight of her goalscoring appearances ‘to nil’! Hoping to stop that from happening, Denmark’s Vangsgaard has netted after the 55th minute in both of her last two appearances for club and country.
Hot streak: England won the corner count in each of their last seven internationals (W5, D1, L1).
