China v England
In the last round of Group D, England found their winning momentum again, beating China 6-1. In their final game of the tournament, China were unable to stop England’s ruthless performance, only finding a goal themselves through a well taken penalty by Wang Shuang.
Sarina Wiegman’s side progressed into the knockout stages of the tournament unbeaten, finding narrow wins against Denmark and Haiti in the previous two games, and solidifying an unbeaten group stage against China. They are joined by Denmark, who finished second in Group D.
Tactical Analysis: England
A change of formation saw England ditch their 4-3-3 line up which they have stayed loyal to under Wiegman’s management. Lining up originally in a 3-4-1-2, England switched continuously with their starting positioning and 3-5-2.
The defensive back three of Captain Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood kept a strong defensive shape throughout the match. They kept a high line, pressing China deeper into England’s attacking half. Millie Bright in the central position shut down players, and used her crossing ability to find Lucy Bronze on the high right wing. Jess Carter was also involved in key moments throughout the match, making crucial tackles and assisting Lauren James’ second goal.
Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly took up the wing back positions on the right and left joining the attack and defensive line when called upon. This allowed Lucy Bronze’s ability on the right channel to shine, using the wide right position in tandem with the narrowly positioned China to create space and deliver balls to the attacking players. She also found herself in the box often, being ever present in goal scoring opportunities. On the left, Rachel Daly linked up with Lauren James and Lauren Hemp, using the left side to apply pressure to China. The positioning of both Rachel Daly and Lucy Bronze was inevitably a key decision for Sarina Wiegeman, making full usage of both players’ strong defensive qualities and versatility as attackers.
England had to replace the gap left by Keira Walsh’s absence in the defensive midfield position who missed the game due to injury. Georgia Stanway and Katie Zelem started in this area. Whilst in possession, Georgia Stanway slotted into her usual midfield position higher up the pitch, coming deeper when necessary. Katie Zelem remained deep in the midfield, having the ability to move the ball to players across the pitch and shutting down potential Chinese attacks. She was also involved in many of the set pieces, being called upon to take free kicks and corners. The midfield duo of Georgia Stanway and Katie Zelem kept a strong core to the England central area, which proved to be crucial due to China’s narrow positioning.
In the number ten position, Lauren James covered both sides of the pitch, filtering to the side of the pitch that play was on. She linked up with Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo who were in key attacking positions, having calm and confident movement on the ball to dance round Chinese players, taking on up to four at one time. Alessia Russo found herself joining the attack on the left, using the channel to supply crosses into the box to find Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze, who were closely followed by Lauren James to recycle any missed opportunities. Russo’s movement aided her in getting the first goal of the match, scoring from open play in the 3rd minute.
A half time substitution saw Laura Coombs replace Georgia Stanway, bringing fresh legs into the midfield to keep the attack alive and undoubtedly influenced by the yellow card hanging over her head to avoid possible suspension for the Round of 16. Laura Coombs ensured she slotted into attack, playing good passes to teammates, assisting Rachel Daly’s goal and getting shots to test the goalkeeper herself.
To inspire new momentum, Sarina Wiegman substituted Chloe Kelly and Beth England into the attack, for Hemp and Russo, and put Niamh Charles into right wing back for Lucy Bronze. Niamh Charles’ ability in this position undoubtedly influenced this change, with her progressing in her career from winger to fullback, and brought a new momentum to the right channel. In the 81st minute, Lauren James made way for Ella Toone.
Key Players: England
- Lauren James
Lauren James has been a top performer for England throughout the group stages, scoring three goals in three matches. Her exceptional ability in the ten role ensured she slotted in perfectly to Wiegman’s tactical system change, being involved in many key goal scoring and attacking opportunities, assisting three goals. Her precise shooting ensured she found the back of the net from a corner set piece and her first touch ability helped her score three goals, with one being ruled offside.
- Lucy Bronze
A switch to a wing-back position fully showcased Lucy Bronze’s ability to use the channel and be involved in attacking movements. She often found herself using the right wing to pose a threat to the Chinese defence, and made swift movements into the box when it was being delivered from the left. Her tactical positioning allowed Lauren James to get her first goal, causing an obstruction to China in their set piece and ensuring James remained unmarked.
- Alex Greenwood
Adapting to the defensive line of three, Alex Greenwood was undoubtedly a solid foundation to the England team. She pulled off some perfectly timed tackles to stop China’s attack and made herself difficult to get past. She used the wing back play of Rachel Daly to send passes down the left channel and linked up with players all across the pitch. She was often selected as a free kick taker, standing over the ball with Katie Zelem, and delivered a perfectly weighted pass to assist Lauren James in a free kick set piece.
- Lauren Hemp
Making the list of goal scorers, Lauren Hemp posed a strong threat to the Chinese defence throughout the match. She linked up with Alessia Russo, going central when Russo used the wide areas to be in the box on attack. Often being defended by two or more players on the wing, she linked up with Lauren James to continue England’s attack. She wrapped the ball around the goalkeeper, finding the bottom left corner in the 26th minute following a through ball from Lauren James.
Tactical Analysis: China PR
Having the task of facing a ruthless England side, China lined up in their usual 4-4-2 formation making only one change to their starting line up. Scoring the goal in their 1-0 win against Haiti, Wang Shuang replaced Rui Zhang who was suspended due to receiving a red card against Haiti.
Due to the threat posed by England, China remained narrow in positioning, attempting to dominate the central areas of the pitch. This stopped England chances and slowed attacking movements, but did not remain successful throughout the match as Lucy Bronze was often left with space on the right wing. When England attacked, six to seven players joined China’s defensive set up.
They kept a narrow defensive position, opting not to close down England in central areas, rather giving them little options to get through their defensive line. The space which they left in their defensive players gave England more goal scoring opportunities, with high threat Lauren James having space on the ball and moving it around multiple China players.
They struggled to find a solution to defend set pieces and were unable to get the ball out of their half following corners and free kicks. In Lauren James’ first goal, she was left completely unmarked on the edge of the box, with no Chinese player picking her up to stop the goal scoring opportunity.
China tried pressing the English defensive line, getting through on goal multiple times and delivering crosses into the box. Depending on the side of play, the wide players would push forward to inspire and attack and apply pressure to England. Wang Shuang pressed England’s defence, being in position to attack.
They struggled to find the net, despite having many chances and crosses into the box which were either saved by Earps or couldn’t make it past the England defence. Their only goal came in the 57th minute through Wang Shuang’s penalty, awarded by VAR due to Bronze’s handball in the box. She confidently sent the ball centrally into the back of the net, putting China on the score sheet.
Key Players: China PR
- Wang Shuang
It’s no surprise that penalty goalscorer Wang Shuang makes the list of China’s key players. She confidently took the penalty which was China’s only goal of the match. She created many attacking movements throughout the match, pressing England’s defence. She also delivered many precise corners into the box, testing England goalkeeper Mary Earps and finding the head of her teammates.
- Yang Lina
Yang Lina found herself all across the pitch, being involved in both defence and attacking movements. She played flick on passes to her teammates in the attacking half and tested Mary Earps on multiple occasions, causing her to pull off a diving save to stop her long range shot from finding the bottom left corner of the net.