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Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

England’s Lauren James scores a stunning goal to beat Denmark in the Women’s World Cup

England inched closer to the knockout round thanks to this epic goal from James

England v Denmark: Group D - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
England v Denmark: Group D - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Mark Schofield
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

England inched closer to the knockout round of the Women’s World Cup with their second 1-0 victory of the tournament, this time over Denmark.

That lone goal came courtesy of Lauren James, on an absolutely sublime strike.

England broke through in the early going, with James — who was making her first World Cup Start — scored in the seventh minute. She took in a pass outside of the box, skipped around one defender and then launched a rocket that split two more defenders and curled just out of reach past goalie Lene Christensen:

Fox Soccer put together this cut-up of the goal, showing it from every possible angle:

The goal also earned a shoutout from James’s brother, Reece. Reece is a defender for Chelsea, and the siblings are the first in the history of the English National Team to represent the nation at the senior level in the modern era:

James’s goal would prove decisive, as while Denmark threatened on a few different occasions, the Lionesses held on for the 1-0 win. They will be guaranteed a spot in the knockout round if Haiti wins against China, or that match ends in a draw. The match between Haiti and China starts at 7:00 a.m. Eastern on Friday.

However, England’s win was bittersweet, as standout midfielder Keira Walsh was taken off the pitch on a stretcher just before halftime. According to The Guardian, Walsh was spotted telling medical staff: “I’ve done my knee.”

England suffered a rash of injuries in the build-up to the tournament as three members of their squad — Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby — suffered knee injuries.

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