Keira Walsh Lauren James England Women compositeGetty/GOAL
Ameé Ruszkai

Keira Walsh injury is a massive blow to England's World Cup chances: Winners and losers as Lionesses star midfielder's woe overshadows Lauren James' match-winning display in Denmark victory

The Barcelona star was stretchered off on Friday, leaving the European champions with a massive problem to solve in midfield

England are on the brink of qualifying for the Women's World Cup knockout rounds after beating Denmark 1-0 in Sydney on Friday to make it two wins from two in Australia - but there is serious concern around their chances of glory after Keira Walsh was stretchered off.

It was a night that started with real excitement when Lauren James' outstanding strike broke the deadlock early on, the Chelsea star easily the Player of the Match as she glided around the pitch with confidence and quality to make the Lionesses look really dangerous.

But Walsh's knee injury before half-time was a huge blow for England and the game fell flat after it, with Denmark causing problems on the counter as the European champions tried to find their feet again after losing such an influential player.

Fortunately for Sarina Wiegman and her team, they managed to recover enough to see the game out, despite Denmark substitute Amalie Vangsgaard hitting the post late on, and now have one foot in the last 16.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the Allianz Stadium in Sydney...

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  • Keira Walsh England 2023Getty Images

    LOSER: Keira Walsh

    "I've done my knee." That's what Walsh told the England physios as they raced on to see to her after she'd gone down in some pain at the midway point of the Lionesses' defensive half.

    On the stretch to win the ball, her foot seemed to get stuck in the ground and the midfielder clearly knew right away that it was serious, signalling to the bench immediately that her night was over.

    Stretchered off moments later, it was an extremely worrying scene for Walsh and for the team, too, who do not really have a replacement for the Barcelona star in the squad.

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  • Lauren James England Women's World CupGetty Images

    WINNER: Lauren James

    There have been so many calls for Lauren James to start at this World Cup, and when she got the chance to do so on Friday, she did not disappoint.

    The Chelsea star was the Lionesses' best player by some distance, constantly looking a threat whenever she picked up the ball, and produced an absolutely gorgeous strike from the edge of the box to give her team the lead.

    It's hard to see her coming out of this line-up after that performance.

  • Pernille Harder Denmark 2023Getty Images

    LOSER: Pernille Harder

    No player that started this game had fewer touches on the pitch than Pernille Harder. Starting in the No.9 role, one of the world's best footballers was incredibly quiet in Denmark's toughest group-stage match, and it was always going to be difficult for her team to get the goal they needed with that the case.

    Harder dropped into a No.10 role later in the second half, but she still struggled to get into the game. It was a shame to see her unable to influence events in the game-changing way that everyone knows she can.

  • Alex Greenwood England 2023Getty Images

    WINNER: Alex Greenwood

    Having played as a left-back in the first match, Alex Greenwood moved into a centre-back role for this game and she was much more influential in England's play as a result.

    Her ability on the ball is excellent and that was evident throughout the evening, with her passing range adding another dimension to the Lionesses' play. She's a much greater asset to the team centrally.

  • Jess Carter England 2023Getty Images

    LOSER: Jess Carter

    On the other side of that story, Jess Carter was incredibly unlucky to be dropped from the starting XI to pave the way for Greenwood to start in the heart of defence.

    The Chelsea star was brilliant against Haiti and it was a surprise to see her named on the bench for the game against Denmark as a result. Given the balance that Wiegman seemed to strike with this starting XI, it looks like it'll be tough for Carter to force her way back in, too.