England are looking to make it three from three when they take on Japan in the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday night.
Phil Neville’s side have already beaten Scotland and Argentina in Group D and will secure top spot if they avoid defeat at the Allianz Riviera. The Lionesses are growing in confidence under Neville, with Nikita Parris and Ellen White scoring against Scotland and Jodie Taylor scoring against Argentina.
The England boss must decide whether to rotate to remain fresh for the knock-out phase or maintain their momentum. Follow LIVE coverage below.
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Japan 0 – 1 England
It’s been a good performance from England but not without mistakes. More pace on the ball will cause problems for the Japanese defence, cutting out the mistakes and compacting the back four will shore up the defence as well.
Japan 0 – 1 England
Half-time: The whistle goes to signal an end to the first half. Both teams have had chances but England have made the most of theirs. They’re a little unlucky not to have at least two goals but they do have the lead.
Japan 0 – 1 England
45 mins: England pressure Japan in mid-field and win themselves a throw in on the left. The play is switched out to the right and Lucy Bronze puts a ball into the box but Japan clear it away.
Japan 0 – 1 England
42 mins: Duggan gives the ball away and Yokoyama runs it towards the box. She toes the ball in an effort on goal and sends it wide. England have been caught a couple of times now after giving the ball away.
Japan 0 – 1 England
39 mins: Houghton keeps her composure under pressure to get the ball up to Ellen White. Japan win a throw in on the right wing but can’t build an attack. Duggan sends the ball out to Daly who cuts inside and gives it to Stanway. Stanway then loses the ball.
Japan 0 – 1 England
36 mins: What a chance! A long ball forward from Keira Walsh plays Rachel Daly into the box. Daly shoves off Sameshima and takes a right-footed shot. The ball hits Yamashita’s arm and goes out for a corner denying England a second in the process.
Japan defend the corner well and clear the ball.
Japan 0 – 1 England
33 mins: Daly takes the ball down the right wing before slipping it to Jill Scott. Scott crosses the ball into the box hoping to find Duggan arriving at the far post but she sends it too close to the goalkeeper and Yamashita claims it.
Japan 0 – 1 England
30 mins: Nakajima is almost played in behind England’s left-back but Millie Bright makes a good interception.
A period of possession for Japan causes trouble for England, pockets of space keep opening up before Walsh gives away a free kick.
The free kick is played short and Yokoyama shoots from a way out but Bardsley has it covered.
Japan 0 – 1 England
27 mins: Japan win a corner and Nakajima fires one into the centre of the box. Endo makes a foul and England can boot the ball long.
Japan 0 – 1 England
24 mins: England look very sharp going forward. Jill Scott gives the ball to Lucy Bronze on the right. Bronze sends it forward to Daly who puts the ball into the box. White gets a head on it but can’t generate enough power to challenge to goalkeeper.
Japan 0 – 1 England
21 mins: Scotland are also in action tonight. They need to win and hope results tomorrow go their way in order to qualify for the knockout stages. As things stand though, it’s looking good for the Scots as they’ve taken a 1-0 lead over Argentina.
Japan 0 – 1 England
18 mins: Great stuff from England. They move the ball up the pitch with fluid motion, Duggan tries to switch the play out to Daly but Shimizu intercepts with a head. The ball comes to Jill Scott who hits one and forces Yamashita into a diving save.
England’s corner is sent out to the edge of the box where Stanway gets the ball and drills a shot at goal. Yamashita sticks out her left hand and palms the ball straight up.
Two great saves from the Japanese goalkeeper!
Japan 0 – 1 England
15 mins: GOAL! – White
She loves to play against Japan!
Georgia Stanway uses her strength to keep hold of the ball to the left of the mid-field. She plays a perfect through ball into the box and White splits the centre-backs, meets the ball and slots it past Yamashita, who comes off her line to close the angle, and into the far post.
Japan 0 – 0 England
12 mins: England’s newish back four keep getting drawn into the ball and are allowing Japan a lot of space in front of goal. A bit more composure is needed from the defenders.
Bright tries to play a long through ball up to Duggan but it gets interecpted. England win the ball back high up the pitch and Stanway shoots from range winning a corner with a deflection.
Japan 0 – 0 England
9 mins: Toni Duggan plays a loose pass and gives the ball away. England have started a little sloppily so far. Japan bring the ball to the edge of England’s box and win a free kick.
Yokoyama eyes it up, shoots and Bardsley dives to her right and tips the ball onto the crossbar. Great save from Bardsley!
Japan 0 – 0 England
6 mins: Stanway gets the ball to Scott as England run forward on the break. Endo gets back and puts the ball out for an England throw in.
Japan 0 – 0 England
3 mins: Japan take control of the ball and switch the play from right to left. Iwabuchi loses the ball and England look to push forward but are forced back. Houghton gives the ball away and Yokoyama receives the ball, she shoots but sends it wide,
Japan 0 – 0 England
Kick off: Japan start the match, but England win the ball quickly. They attack the left wing but give away a free kick.
Kick off is imminent
The teams come out onto the pitch, the anthems are played and sung. The ceremonies conclude and the action is next.
England vs Japan with the Group D top spot up for grabs.
Japan coach Asako Takakura on facing England
“We don’t have a negative impression about that defeat [in the SheBelieves Cup].
“We managed to try all the things that we wanted to – to test ourselves. Now we are in a wonderful tournament and we are going to play against a wonderful team and we’re really looking forward to it.
“Our team has character as a squad and I want them to fulfil their potential.”
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Match Prediction: Japan 0-2 England
The Lionesses succumbed to defeat against Japan in heart-breaking fashion at the last World Cup, losing 2-1 in the semi-finals via a stoppage-time own goal. Since then, England have grown from strength to strength and emerged as one of the sport’s best teams. They notably beat Japan 3-0 at the SheBelieves Cup and now have the opportunity to reap revenge for the pain of their last World Cup outing.
Having demonstrated their maturity and composure to beat Argentina 1-0 win, England’s place in the knockout stages of the competition is secured. Avoiding defeat against Japan on Wednesday would see them top Group D and go on to face China, Chile or Cameroon in the last-16 – a kind draw that would put them in good stead for the later stages of the tournament.
Japan pose a greater threat than either Scotland or Argentina but with confidence riding high, and qualification out of the group stages already wrapped up, expect to see a free and expressive England side take to the field. Their possession-based, patient style of play means this is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair but with the likes of Fran Kirby, Beth Mead and Jodie Taylor threatening against Argentina, there’s no doubt Phil Neville’s women will be looking to take the game to their Japanese opponents.
