The Lionesses of England secured their place in the knock out stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating China 5-1 in last Group D game played at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.

The European champions started the game on a good note. Dominating the early exchanges , it wasn’t much of a surprise when they broke the deadlockafter 5 minutes on the clock.

Arsenal’s new recruits, Alessia Russo found the back of the net with Lauren James’ providing the assist. 26 minutes on the clock and the Sarina Weigman’s Lionesses extended their advantage as Lauren Hemp steered the ball into the back of the net after Lauren James’ picked her up with a pass.

The lively Lauren James’ got on the act as well, grabbing a third for England and her second in the tournament 5 minutes before the break. She thought she got a fourth in added time of the first half but she was in an offside position when she struck. The scoreline remained 3-0 at the break.

China pulled one back 11 minutes after the restart as the Asians were awarded a spot kick. Wang Shuang stepped up and sent the ball into the net and beyond the reach of Mary Harps in goal for England.

Lauren James’ made it four for England with her second of the day after66 minutes of play.

There was still time for two more goals as Substitute Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly scored England’s fifth and sixth in the 77th and 84th minutes to end in game is style.

Elsewhere, Denmark did the required by beating debutants Haiti 2-0 to seal a knock out spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Pernille Harder’s spot kick in the 22nd minute and another late strike by Sanne Troelsgaard in extra time was enough to send the Scandinavian country into the round of 16 stage at the expense of China, who lost to England . The Danes finished in second place in group D