Women's World Cup: Reds trio through, pair in peril
Manchester United Women will have at least three players in the knockout phase of the World Cup in France but another pair are close to elimination following their national side's second defeat of the tournament.
Alex Greenwood and her incoming club colleague Abbie McManus were the first two Reds to go through, after both played the full 90 minutes for Phil Neville's England side in their slender, yet deserved, 1-0 win over Argentina in Group D.
The Lionesses were followed into the last 16 by the Netherlands, who beat Cameroon 3-1 in Group E on Saturday afternoon with our summer signing Jackie Groenen playing the full game in midfield. The Oranje's 22-year-old striker Vivianne Miedema - who was described by United Women head coach Casey Stoney as having "frightening" potential - netted her record 59th and 60th goals for her country and was joined on the scoresheet by fellow Arsenal player Dominique Bloodworth.
The Lionesses were followed into the last 16 by the Netherlands, who beat Cameroon 3-1 in Group E on Saturday afternoon with our summer signing Jackie Groenen playing the full game in midfield. The Oranje's 22-year-old striker Vivianne Miedema - who was described by United Women head coach Casey Stoney as having "frightening" potential - netted her record 59th and 60th goals for her country and was joined on the scoresheet by fellow Arsenal player Dominique Bloodworth.
United Women captain Greenwood used her own attacking prowess to earn England a first-half penalty at Le Havre's Stade Oceane on Friday night, when she was tripped in the box by Argentina's Ruth Bravo. A brilliant save by Vanina Correa prevented Nikita Parris scoring her second spot-kick goal of this World Cup but the Lionesses still triumphed through Jodie Taylor's 61st-minute strike. Greenwood almost claimed an assist later in the game when Jill Scott headed her fine left-wing delivery just over the crossbar.
In Friday's other Group D fixture, there was a boost for the Reds' Lizzie Arnot and Kirsty Smith when they were selected in Scotland's starting line-up to face Japan, having both come on as substitutes in their first fixture against England.
In Friday's other Group D fixture, there was a boost for the Reds' Lizzie Arnot and Kirsty Smith when they were selected in Scotland's starting line-up to face Japan, having both come on as substitutes in their first fixture against England.
The afternoon ended in disappointment for the Scots though, when the Asian side held on to the first-half advantage given to them by Mana Iwabuchi's goal and Yuika Sugasawa's penalty to win 2-1, despite Fiorentina's Lalla Clelland pulling one back two minutes from time.
Smith played the entire match at Stade de la Route de Lorient in Rennes; Arnot was replaced on the hour mark by Claire Emslie, who had scored in the 2-1 loss to England.
Smith played the entire match at Stade de la Route de Lorient in Rennes; Arnot was replaced on the hour mark by Claire Emslie, who had scored in the 2-1 loss to England.
Friday's results mean England are top of the table and will go through as Group D winners if they avoid defeat against second-placed Japan on Wednesday, while Scotland need to beat fellow strugglers Argentina and hope results in other pools enable them to qualify as one of the four best teams finishing third.
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