Chelsea star Lauren James scored twice as European champions England swept past shell-shocked China 6-1 and into the Women’s World Cup last 16 on Tuesday to set up a clash with Nigeria.
It equaled 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.
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 Steel Roses, an early powerhouse in women’s football, made at least the round of 16 in the six previous World Cups they have played, finishing runners-up in 1999 during their heyday.
England, who only needed a point to top the table, started without injured Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh.
