Group D at Women's World Cup: England and China secure victories while Argentina stages a comeback against South Africa
There was plenty of action to enjoy across the ninth day of Women's World Cup action.
Argentina and South Africa kicked off the fun with an enthralling 2-2 draw that including what will definitely be in the coversation for the best goal of the entire tournament, before England and China secured crucial victories in Group D.
Here's a look back at the day's action.
Argentina looked to be heading for defeat in Dunedin but came from two goals down to salvage a late draw with South Africa in the day's first action.
Defeat to Italy in the opener meant another defeat would have all but ended Argentina's summer exploits and it appeared to be heading in that direction when Glasgow City winger Linda Motlhalo put South Africa ahead on the half-hour mark.
One word for Linda Motlhalo??She has stepped up in this game!!
LM10 just scored in a match incl Argentina in the World Cup. Only it was Linda Motlhalo scoring for Banyana Banyana
Thembi Kgatlana nearly added a second but could only slice Jermaine Seoposenwe's cross wide, but the latter would make amends with a tap-in after the break which looked to be firing South Africa to their first ever World Cup win.
That sparked an immense attacking effort from German Portanova's side and they were rewarded with their efforts in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Sophia Braun's thunderous half-volley dragged Argentina back into the game and really woke up the fans, who had barely finished celebrating by the time they were watching their side pull themselves level.
What a hit! 🚨Sophia Braun gives #ARG a lifeline in emphatic fashion!
We just witnessed goal of the tournament from Sophia Braun
Sophia Braun's goal today for Argentina vs SA, sweet and true.
It was super-sub Romina Nunez who saved the day, heading home to earn Argentina a point and keep them alive in the tournament.
Both sides remain third and fourth in Group G and need victories over Sweden and Italy respectively if they are to advance in the tournament.
England made it two wins from two at the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Denmark that wasn't always easy on the eye.
After the ugliest of victories over Haiti to get their tournament underway, England needed a fresh spark for this one and Sarina Wiegman's decision to include Lauren James from the start yielded instant results as the Chelsea forward fired England ahead after just six minutes - 343 in-game minutes after their last goal from open play.
It was a goal worth waiting for, however, as James fizzed one from the edge of the box right into the side netting.
What are start for the #Lionesses! What a strike from Lauren James!
Lauren James is already playing at a higher level than many of her teammates. She could play for any of the top sides at the tournament.
Lauren James that is ridiculous.
Lauren James' lesser known brother knew it was coming... 😏
England played with far more positivity for the vast majority of the first half but saw their enthusiasm brought to an abrupt end when Keira Walsh went down holding her knee seven minutes before the half-time break.
Walsh appeared to tell physios that she had 'done her knee' before leaving the field on a stretcher, adding to the immensely rotten luck dealt to England when it comes to injuries over the past 12 months.
some players can’t be replaced and keira walsh is one of them
Keira Walsh no no no no no no no 😢
Keira Walsh returned to the bench in crutches after her injury. 💔A knee brace is clearly visible on her right knee…😖
Unsurprisingly, England lacked a bit of control after Keira Walsh had to go off. I’d like to see Katie Zelem start in that deep-lying playmaker role against China.#Eng #Lionesses #FIFAWWC
Clearly aware of the significance of such an injury blow, England's performance seemed to fall flat in the second half, although the lively James never ceased trying to drag the Lionesses to further success.
England remained largely in control of the game, flashing far more composure than had been on show against Haiti (as if that would have been difficult), but lacked a spark in attack and nearly paid for their profligacy when Amalie Vangsgaard headed a late cross against Mary Earps' post.
Thankfully for England, they held on for the victory and the familiar sound of Sweet Caroline was soon blasting around the stadium.
Huge credit to England for getting that win over the line in testing circumstances, mentally especially. They dug deep. It's hard to ever recall such a crucial World Cup victory being accompanied by such a deflated mood, here. Everybody will be so worried for Walsh. #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/rcB09p3JEK
Lauren James is the goat. I've seen enough
China kept their hopes of qualification for the knockout stages alive with a 1-0 win over Haiti.
Despite dominating the ball in the opening stages, China could not find a way through a Haiti defence which really announced itself to the world against England last time out, and their task became even tougher on the half-hour mark when Zhang Rui was shown a red card.
A clumsy challenge was initially met with a yellow from the referee but, after an interjection from VAR, the red was drawn and China were down to ten for the next hour.
Bad tackle by the china player rui zhang she didn’t need to go in like that studs showing on the knee
Unsurprisingly, that dismissal saw Haiti come out of their shell and the minnows thought they had bagged their first ever World Cup goal when Nerilia Mondesir slotted home a one-on-one, only for the offside flag to spoil her fun.
GOOOAALLL Nerillia Mondesir scores for Haiti but IT WAS OFFSIDE !!!
Sensing the chance to snatch a result here, Haiti brought young sensation Melchie Dumornay off the bench, much to the excitement of the fans in the stadium.
The decision nearly paid off almost instantly as Dumornay forced an excellent save from Zhu Yu in the China net.
The sharpest of reactions from Zhu Yu 🤯Melchie Dumonay thought she'd scored... but #CHN's goalkeeping heroics!#FIFAWWC
Wow, that was an excellent, superb save from Zhu Yu 🇨🇳
What a save by Zhu from Dumornay! 'Keeper hurt in the process. Haiti should be ahead.
Haiti pushed and pushed and pushed, but against the run of play, China were awarded a route back into the game when Zhang Linyan was tripped over in the box by Ruthny Mathurin.
The offside flag was initially raised but VAR intervened once again and a penalty was awarded, and Wang Shuang made no mistake from the spot to fire China ahead with 15 minutes to go, and the Steel Roses went from strength to strength after that.
Zhang was a little unfortunate not to be awarded a second penalty almost straight after, before missing the chance to double her country's lead as she headed over the bar. China were overwhelmingly dominant, with Haiti struggling to stay afloat.
It's all come apart for Haiti. China have been down to 10 for much of the match and they take the lead from the spot.
This Haiti game is driving me nuts. They have no one to blame but themselves for being down 1-0 to a ten woman China squad. #WomensWorldCup
Can't believe China have a player less on the pitch, they are all over Haiti at the moment!
Nine minutes of stoppage time arrived but we only needed to wait two before the drama resumed.
Haiti were awarded a penalty as Roseline Eloissaint was brought down by Wu Chengshu, but that pesky old VAR called the referee over to the monitor and the decision was ultimately overruled, much to the confusion of most fans watching on.
VAR was doing so well....got that one wrong.
Clear and obvious is obviously pointless.
#VAR opens up the possibility of suspicion, as to whose making the final decision. That was a blatent penalty all day long. Stone wall.
That would've been given as a foul elsewhere on the pitch, Haiti a bit hard done by there by the VAR review. They also deserve an equaliser in this pretty turgid game, which as it stands China are lucky to win #WW
Mondesir missed one final chance in the dying embers, while both Dumornay and Kethna Louis saw penalty shouts waved away, as China held on to a huge three points.
