28 July 2023 , 11:17
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Reece James has hailed his sister Lauren after she scored a stunning goal to hand England a win over Denmark in their second group game of the Women's World Cup.
The Chelsea star saw his sister curl a shot into the net from outside the box six minutes into Friday morning's game at the Sydney Football Stadium. The attacker was also named player of the match, with the Lionesses on the brink of securing their place in the knockout stages.
Friday's game was the first time James started at the tournament, with Sarina Wiegman 's team one of the favourites having won the Euros last year. James duly paid her boss back for handing her a rare start, with her brother delighted to see her thrive.
He posted a picture of James celebrating onto his Instagram story, with the caption "She's arrived." England will secure their place in the last 16 if China fail to beat Haiti or by earning a draw in their final group game.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, James said: "I want to carve out (my own name) and be known as ‘this is Lauren James’
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"At the moment, men’s football has a lot bigger profile and I’m sure there are times when I’ve said ‘oh, that’s so and so’s sister’, I think it’s just natural. But it doesn’t bother me too much because I know I have my own career.
James' performance in Sydney proved to be key, with England taking their foot off the pedal after half-time. And former England keepe Rachel Brown-Finnis was full of praise for the Chelsea striker.
Lauren and Reece James have enjoyed incredible careers already (Instagram/laurenjjames)"Lauren James at her best. Right foot, off the left side, central position, space made for her by Daly pulling out wide. You give a player like Lauren James the time and space, she has the poise, quality and technique to do this," she told BBC Sport.
"It has been all England from the off. What a moment on her first-ever start for James, phenomenal! Lauren James and Ella Toone causing plenty of problems in the middle for Denmark, one and two-touch combinations.
"They won't have expected her to be coming inside and doubling up just in front of the back line. Her partnership with Rachel Daly on the left hand side is working to a tee. It's not been electric. It's not been spakling nor polished. But.... a win is a win."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was player of the match as England beat Denmark? Comment below.
Lauren James scored a stunning goal to hand England a win over Denmark (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)James herself admitted she had accomplished a dream of hers by scoring at the World Cup. And she praised her team-mates for the support they have shown her since her breakthrough into the team.
"It was a dream and something I've been thinking about but most importantly I'm happy to help us win. I kind of had a thought and then as soon as it hit the net it was just relief," James told BBC Sport.
"They were just really happy for me and they said it before the game they had a good feeling about me. I am happy to have good people around me. I am calm all around the pitch. I am happy to bring that on the pitch."
Former England midfielder Fara Williams meanwhile believes that the Lionesses' experienced players should be looking to James for inspiration. She said: "Lauren James was the only bright spark for England today.
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"She kicked things off with the early goal which really set us on our way. After the initial 20-minute period, the only quality from then on really came from Lauren James. We just need to get players around her.
"For someone so young to control the rhythm of the team is impressive, some of the more experienced players need to take a leaf out of her book."