Arsenal striker Russo opened her account at this World Cup after just four minutes at Hindmarsh Stadium, alert to get to the header from Lauren James before steadying herself and curling the ball past the goalkeeper at her near post. 

Her Arsenal team mate Lotte Wubben-Moy started on the bench once again, with England switching to a back five in a changed formation that paid dividends.

England romped to a 3-0 first half lead with goals from Lauren Hemp and then James, who would have had a brace of spectacular finishes if not for a questionable VAR decision.

The VAR controversy continued in the second half when a penalty was given against Lucy Bronze for handball, and it was duly converted by Wang Shuang. Unfortunately for China, Lauren James was at it again to make it 4-1 with a cushioned volley before Kelly and Daly made it five and then six.

Russo was replaced upfront by Bethany England after 72 minutes as England closed out their third group stage victory.

After wins that were far from perfect against Haiti and Denmark, both England and Russo needed this performance, and Sarina Wiegman’s tactical masterclass did the trick from start to finish. The Lionesses will take on Nigeria in the Round of 16 after finishing top of Group D.

Elsewhere in Group D, Kathrine Kuhl started as Denmark beat Haiti 2-0 to finish second behind the Lionesses, with Pernille Harder and Sanne Troelsgaard scoring the goasl.

Kuhl started in all three of Denmark’s group games, and the twenty year-old midfielder has impressed in all three. She played eighty minutes against Haiti before being replaced by Josefine Hasbo.

Victoria Pelova was in action for the Netherlands, once again playing at right wing back rather than the midfield position that Arsenal fans are used to seeing her in. The Dutch midfield has plenty of competition for places and Pelova has shown she can be effective out wide, especially when her side can attack.

Pelova only played the first half of the Netherlands’ 7-0 win over Vietnam, with five goals coming before half time. Former Arsenal midfielders Jill Roord and Danielle van de Donk shared three goals between them as the Netherlands finished top of Group E.