England 1-0 Denmark: England beats Denmark thanks to stunning strike

Mixed emotions from the England camp after its 1-0 win against Denmark.

Lauren James scored the only goal of the game in the sixth minute, curling home an exquisite effort from just outside the box, but the game was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury sustained by England star Keira Walsh.

The midfielder was in tears as she was stretchered off during the first half. TV cameras appeared to show the 26-year-old telling the England bench that she had “done my knee.”

England is already without defender Leah Williamson and forward Beth Mead, who both suffered anterior cruciate ligaments last season. Williamson, Mead and Walsh played major roles in England’s Euro 2022 title win.

The win, though, all but guarantees England's progression into the knockout rounds -- its place will be confirmed should China fail to beat Haiti later on Friday.

The Women's World Cup continues Saturday with three more fixtures.

Sweden will take on Italy, France plays Brazil and Panama faces Jamaica.

After impressing in a 1-0 defeat to England, Haiti will go into its second Women's World Cup match, against China, confident of springing an upset.

Today, Haiti is a country scarred by the effects of political unrest and natural disasters.

“We know how much joy the game of football brings back to Haiti,” player Danielle Etienne told CNN ahead of the tournament.

"We’re just excited to continue to do that as well. We don’t want this to be the end of it.”

Chelsea and England men's star Reece James took to social media to say he was "proud" of his sister, Lauren, after she scored the winning goal in England's 1-0 victory against Denmark.

The siblings are already history makers, becoming the first brother and sister to make senior England appearances in the modern era.

After her heroics on Friday, Lauren was named Player of the Match.

With back-to-back scrappy 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark, England is yet to show its best football at this World Cup.

But the European champion is now on the verge of reaching the last 16 and head coach Sarina Wiegman is happy with how her players battled against Denmark.

“I think we started well, we played well and then we had a little stage in the first half that we lost balls we didn’t have to lose," she told the BBC.

"We have the horrible moment with Kiera and the second half was a fight. We adapted to the new situation.

"We really had to fight for the win and that’s what we did, so I’m very proud of the team."

Wiegman said she had no news on Walsh's apparent knee injury, only saying that "it looked serious."

"It’s not nice seeing a player … going off on the [stretcher], but the team picked up really well."

Nothing flashy from England but it gets the job done.

Lauren James' stunning strike was the difference in an otherwise cagey match against Denmark.

The Danes never really got a hold of the game, but did manage to create a number of chances on the counter attack -- Vangsgaard coming the closest after her header hit the post.

Defeat not a disaster for Denmark who can still qualify with a result in its final Group game against Haiti.

England, meanwhile, will qualify if China fails to beat Haiti in Friday's final match.

So close for Denmark as Amalie Vangsgaard hits the post with a header in the 87th minute.

It was a great attempt by the striker, but England is saved by the finest of margins.

Only five of the 90 minutes left. A Denmark equalizer doesn't look likely.

England has control and is not taking any risks.

Fans sung along during halftime as “Football’s Coming Home” -- England fans' favorite soccer song -- played at the FIFA fan zone in Wellington.

While most are England supporters, among the crowd are a handful of US fans -- including Kerry Huber and her family.

Huber’s dad was English, she told CNN, and her son Wesley is wearing an England jersey to watch the game. “We’re just rooting for good soccer."

“England’s doing pretty good,” her son Wesley said.

“The US have a good chance too,” he added, though he admits Thursday's tie against the Netherlands “was not the best US game.”

Despite that result, the family, who have plans to see the USWNT play in Auckland next, aren’t discouraged.

“It means the game we’re going to will be very good and exciting,” Kerry said.