FIRST JOB DONE FOR THE LIONESSES – ROLL ON THE LAST 16

Minimum target achieved, guaranteed qualification to the knockout phase. As expected Argentina were a tough nut to crack, but eventually they found a way past the opposition goalkeeper, Vanina Correa, who was having a worldie, including a fantastic penalty save from Nikita Parris in the first half to keep it 0-0 at the break. England kept their discipline and were patient and eventually wore the Argentinian’s down and took advantage. Funnily enough it was after one of the South American’s few attacking surges, gaps opened up with Fran Kirby thankfully doing the simple thing well with a pass to Beth Mead who squared to leave Jodie Taylor the simple task of stabbing it into the goal. They could have got more, but saw out the game easily enough and it was always the case that once England had got that all important goal up in the game it was theirs for the taking.

FAMILIAR FOES

So onto their final group match against the Japanese a team that they have recent and World Cup history with. England actually beat their opponents this coming Wednesday (19th June) in the 2011 World Cup group stage but it was the Asian side that ended up lifting the trophy, whilst England went out at the quarter final stage. In the 2015 tournament they met in the semi-final and it was heartbreak again for the Lionesses as Laura Bassett scored an unfortunate late own goal which ended their dream of being World Champions. A 3-0 win secured the She Believes Cup for Phil Neville’s team in March and set a marker down for this clash in Nice.

1st or 2nd?

There is a thought that winning Group D would put England in the so called ‘harder’ half of the draw, with France and likely the USA. However for me England need to go out and beat Japan and put a further marker down as I personally hope they don’t do what I call a ‘Kaliningrad’ – those in the know will understand what I mean by that. If England do not top their group, anything but getting to the final will be a failure in my opinion. Ending up in first place may give them what may be a trickier route to the final on paper, but a side whose ultimate goal is to be lifting the World Cup trophy come July 7th should not be fearing any team that is in their way.

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