Wang Shuang (2nd R) of China celebrates after scoring a penalty during the group D match against Haiti at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Adelaide, Australia, July 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Wang Shuang converted a crucial penalty kick to help 10-woman China defeat Haiti 1-0, while European champion England took one step closer to Round of 16 qualification.
SYDNEY, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China survived a first-half red card to overcome debutant Haiti 1-0 on Friday, while European champion England closed in on the FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage after beating Denmark 1-0.
In the day's first game, Argentina produced a rousing comeback to draw 2-2 with South Africa in Group G at Dunedin Stadium.
Needing to avoid defeat in Adelaide to stay alive, China was reduced to 10 players when Zhang Rui was sent off in the 29th minute for a rough tackle on Sherly Jeudy.
But they survived sustained pressure from Haiti and against the run of play in the second-half Zhang Linyan was brought down in the box by Ruthny Mathurin.
After a long VAR review, substitute Wang Shuang scored with her penalty kick in the 74th minute and China held on as Haiti furiously attacked in a stoppage-time lasting 13 minutes.
"We never gave up and we were confident in our game plan (with 10 players)," said Wang.
Zhang Linyan (R) of China in action during China's group D match against Haiti at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Adelaide, Australia, July 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
The result means China is level with Denmark on three points, while Group D leader England has six points but not yet secured a spot into the round of 16.
England's win in Sydney might have come at a major cost for the Lionesses, deemed a title favorite, with star Keira Walsh appearing to suffer a serious knee injury just before halftime.
A spectacular goal outside the box from Lauren James in the sixth minute proved the difference in a vital victory for an injury-hit England.
"We don't know yet, so we can't make any assumptions. Let's just really wait until we have a diagnosis," England coach Sarina Wiegman said about Walsh, who plays for Barcelona.
"Of course it's not nice when a player goes off the pitch that way, but these things happen in football and you just have to move on."
Denmark had late chances to equalize with their best being from Amalie Vangsgaard - who had the later winner against China in Perth - but her header smashed into the post.
"That (Walsh's injury) could also be one reason we came back into the game," Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard said.
"If we had been good enough, precise enough, we could have punished them before halftime on the counter."
Earlier, Argentina had struggled to create any clear opportunities and was in a major hole when South Africa scored through Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana either side of halftime.
Linda Motlhalo (2nd L) of South Africa passes the ball during their group G match against Argentina at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand, July 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
But South Africa was denied a first World Cup victory from five attempts after Argentina stormed back into the contest.
Sophia Braun pegged one back with a spectacular strike in the 74th minute and Romina Nunez equalized with a header five minutes later.
"I am really proud of how we came back, we never gave up. We showed a lot of heart," Braun said.
Even though they received their first ever World Cup point, it was more heartbreak for South Africa who was also overrun by Sweden 2-1 in their opening match.
"It is about taking our chances, making better decisions in the final third. If we take our chances we have a different conversation," South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said.
"Today was a great opportunity to put ourselves a step ahead, but it is not all lost."
The draw leaves both sides with a single point and on the brink of elimination in a group headlined by European powers Sweden and Italy, who play each other on Saturday.
In other games, France meets Brazil in a blockbuster while Panama faces Jamaica in group F action. ■
