Day 13 saw the final matches of group D played, with Japan and England fighting for top spot, while Scotland and Argentina looked to remain in the tournament.

 

JAPAN VS ENGLAND

Goals in either half from England secured a third win in a row to finish top of the group ahead of their Japanese opponents.

Kumi Yokoyama was denied a spectacular goal in the opening stages by England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley. The midfielder’s long-range free-kick seemed destined for the top corner, but Bardsley managed to get far enough across to direct the ball onto the woodwork.

Ellen White would be the one to open the scoring in the 15th minute. A smart run off the shoulder of her defender allowed the striker in behind the defensive line, and her finish was flawless to beat Ayaka Yamashita.

England should have doubled their advantage in the 34th minute after a long ball picked out Rachel Daly, but her half-volley was brilliantly tipped past the post by Yamashita.

Despite a brilliant first half with plenty of chances, the Lionesses could not score a second and left the door open for Japan.

Substitute Yuika Sugasawa was nearly played through on goal in the 75th minute, however the ball was just a little too heavy and rolled on through to the goalkeeper.

Sugasawa was in the action again moments later, getting a toe onto a cross from the left, but it was too tight an angle to beat Bardsley.

White secured the result with six minutes remaining, latching onto Karen Carney’s through ball and calmly sliding the ball past the goalkeeper.

The Lionesses advance as group winners with a 100% record, setting up a round of 16 match with one of the third-placed teams and a potential quarter-final contest against the Matildas.

Japan will take on the winner of Group E, with Canada and the Netherlands squaring off for top spot in tomorrow’s fixtures.

Japan 0

England 2 (White 14′, 84′)

 

SCOTLAND V ARGENTINA

It was a six goal thriller as Argentina produced a stunning comeback to secure a draw against Scotland at the Parc de Princes in Paris.

Both sides needed a win to potentially secure a place in the round of 16, but it was Scotland who would start the best, taking the lead inside the first 20 minutes.

Erin Cuthbert sliced through the Argentine defence and her initial shot was saved by Vanina Correa, but Kim Little was on hand to provide the finish.

The Scots would double their lead early in the second half through Jenny Beattie, and looked to be cruising after Cuthbert added a third in the 69th minute.

However, the South American side had other ideas, quickly pulling one back as Milagros Menedez converted from a lightning-fast counter-attack.

Just five minutes later Argentina scored a good second goal, with Florencia Bonsegundo’s lobbed effort outside the area hitting the underside of the crossbar, deflecting off the goalkeeper and trickling over the line.

VAR took centre stage in the final minutes, as Aldana Cometti was confirmed to be brought down in the box, giving Argentina the chance to equalise.

Lee Alexander produced an impressive double save from Bonsegundo’s spot-kick, but VAR determined the goalkeeper had moved off her line. A re-take ensued and there was no mistake the second time around, Bonsegundo slotting it down the middle to level the scores deep into stoppage time.

Neither side had the opportunity to score a late winner, with the referee seeming to account for the several minutes of VAR review before blowing the final whistle.

Nonetheless, Argentina’s heroic comeback sees them with a chance of making the next round should the remaining results go their way, while Scotland go home in heartbreaking circumstances.

Scotland 3 (Little 19′, Beattie 49′, Cuthbert 69′)

Argentina 3 (Menedez 74′, Bonsegundo 79′ 90+4′)

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