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England Women won their opening game against Scotland Women, but can they win their second? |
England Women are targeting a second World Cup win when they take on Argentina Women on Friday, but with an improved performance.
Phil Neville's side beat Scotland Women 2-1 in their opening game of Group D, an despite a dominant first half, they were outplayed by their British rivals after the break.
England Women will be aiming to maintain high performance levels against an Argentina side who only won their first ever World Cup point last time out.
They managed to secure a goalless draw against fellow Group D opponents and former World Cup winners Japan on Monday and could secure another coup at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre.
Women's World Cup - Group D
Team | Played | Points |
England Women | 1 | 3 |
Argentina Women | 1 | 1 |
Japan Women | 1 | 1 |
Scotland Women | 1 | 0 |
Argentina rivalry no bearing on game'
Phil Neville does not believe the rivalry which exists between England and Argentina in the men's game will have any bearing on the Lionesses' World Cup clash on Friday evening.
"They haven't got the history and the rivalry on the women's side that the men have got," he said. "This is quite new, a game we haven't played that often. This is a great footballing nation we are playing, a very proud nation.
"We are playing against a team with great history and there are parallels with both, men's and women's football. There are similarities in the way they play.
It is also good news for defender Millie Bright after she injured her shoulder in the opening game and was substituted early in the second half, but should be fit to feature against Argentina.
Opta stats
- England won their only previous Women's World Cup encounter with Argentina; winning 6-1 in the 2007 group stage, with Kelly Smith netting a brace.
- England have won both of their Women's World Cup matches versus South American opposition, beating Argentina 6-1 in 2007 and Colombia 2-1 in 2015.
- Argentina have lost their three previous encounters with European nations at the Women's World Cup by an aggregate score of 2-23, shipping at least six goals in each match.
- England have won each of their last three World Cup group stage matches by the same scoreline of 2-1. The Lionesses will be looking to win four successive such games for the very first time.
- Last time out versus Scotland, Jill Scott made her 15th appearance at the Women's World Cup, more than any other England player. If she scores in this match, she'll become just the second England player to net in three different editions of the WWC after Fara Williams.
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