England won their FIFA Women’s World Cup group while Portugal came desperately close to knocking out holders USA.
England topped Group D with three straight wins and their first clear victory, 6-1 over China, to set up a clash with Nigeria on Monday 7 August at 8.30am UK time.
Lauren James set up two goals, scored one of her own and thought she had another … all before the break.
Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp were both on target, with James netting a first-time effort but her second effort ruled out for a VAR offside decision.
China replied from a penalty before the hour mark by Wang Shuang, following a handball VAR decision against Lucy Bronze.
The Lionesses regained a three-goal cushion as James volleyed in Jess Carter’s cross to the back post, Chloe Kelly then gifted the fifth and Rachel Daly hooked in number six.
Denmark also progressed from Group D after seeing off Haiti, despite Simone Boye Sørensen’s early effort being disallowed.
Pernille Harder gave the Danes a first-half lead from the penalty spot, although they had two other goals chalked off for offside.
Harder headed home late on but a VAR check left Denmark still with just a narrow lead but Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen added a second in the 100th minute.
Up next for the Danes though is Australia.
The USA’s progress out of Group E was tense, struggling to make the breakthrough against a Portugal side, who threatened to eliminate the holders.
They came so close to doing so, when in added time substitute Ana Capeta thumped the ball against the foot of a US post.
But the goalless draw saw the Americans through as runners-up, with Sweden or Italy to be their last-sixteen opponents.
The Netherlands stormed into the last sixteen as Group E winners by thrashing Vietnam 7-0.
Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeijs, Esme Brughts and Jill Roord had the Dutch four up in just 23 minutes, with Danielle van de Donk netting the fifth on the rebound before half time.
Brugts added to her earlier curled effort from outside the box and Roord later also got her second of the match.
The Netherlands now play whoever ends up as Group G runners-up.
Fixtures for Wednesday 2 August (UK times)
8am – Group G – Argentina v Sweden (live on BBC 2/BBC iPlayer/BBC Sport Website)
8am – Group G – South Africa v Italy (BBC iPlayer/BBC Red Button/BBC Sport Website)
11am – Group F – Jamaica v Brazil (live on ITV1/STV/ITVX/STV Player)
11am – Group F – Panama v France (live on ITV4/ITVX)
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