England Women reporter notebook: Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses bite back with China rout
England Women secured their place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after a 6-1 demolition of China on Tuesday; Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui examines how Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses are out to silence their critics
Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:31, UK
There's something different in the air in the England camp.
At last year's Euros, England rode a wave of momentum, pride and hope. This time around, they powered by something different.
"We're blocking out the noise," Chloe Kelly told us after 6-1 over China.
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That "noise" is criticism. England came into the World Cup lacking form and, worryingly, goals.
A defeat to Australia was sandwiched between a penalty shootout win over Brazil and a 0-0 draw against Portugal.
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Once the tournament kicked off England needed a retaken penalty to beat Haiti and a moment of magic from Lauren James for victory over Denmark.
The players were well aware of the concerns but instead of being disappointed by the criticism, they used it as fuel for the demolition of China.
"Every interview we get asked the same questions," Kelly rebuked.
"We have made a statement" she added.
That statement is simple, the European champions are a very good team and it's ok to win in a scrappy manner at times. This is tournament football.
USA have drawn twice, Germany and Spain suffered shock defeats and Olympic champions Canada have already been sent back home.
England, however, have won all three group games, beaten the Asian champions by five goals and only conceded once.
Perhaps the wave of optimism will rise again. If not, bring on the critics. The Lionesses are backing themselves to make them eat their words.
The Offside Rule podcast: The James effect, USA squeeze through, Dutch in seventh heaven
The Offside Rule daily podcast brings you the latest from the Women's World Cup as England make it to the knockout rounds in style.
What is the Women's World Cup schedule?
The group stage runs over a two-week period, finishing on August 3. Group winners and runners-up progress to the round of 16, which takes place from August 5 to August 8.
The quarter-finals, which will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, are scheduled for August 11 and 12.
The first semi-final will then be played on August 15 in Auckland, with the other semi-final taking place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which will then host the final on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
