England vs Japan LIVE: Stream, score, goal updates as Ellen White scores in Women’s World Cup match

Follow LIVE updates as Phil Neville’s England play their final Group D match

Women's World Cup: Japan v England match preview

England are looking to make it three from three when they take on Japan in the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday night.

Phil Neville’s side have already beaten Scotland and Argentina in Group D and will secure top spot if they avoid defeat at the Allianz Riviera. The Lionesses are growing in confidence under Neville, with Nikita Parris and Ellen White scoring against Scotland and Jodie Taylor scoring against Argentina.

The England boss must decide whether to rotate to remain fresh for the knock-out phase or maintain their momentum. Follow LIVE coverage below.

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Match Prediction: Japan 0-2 England

The Lionesses succumbed to defeat against Japan in heart-breaking fashion at the last World Cup, losing 2-1 in the semi-finals via a stoppage-time own goal. Since then, England have grown from strength to strength and emerged as one of the sport's best teams. They notably beat Japan 3-0 at the SheBelieves Cup and now have the opportunity to reap revenge for the pain of their last World Cup outing.

Having demonstrated their maturity and composure to beat Argentina 1-0 win, England's place in the knockout stages of the competition is secured. Avoiding defeat against Japan on Wednesday would see them top Group D and go on to face China, Chile or Cameroon in the last-16 - a kind draw that would put them in good stead for the later stages of the tournament.

Japan pose a greater threat than either Scotland or Argentina but with confidence riding high, and qualification out of the group stages already wrapped up, expect to see a free and expressive England side take to the field. Their possession-based, patient style of play means this is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair but with the likes of Fran Kirby, Beth Mead and Jodie Taylor threatening against Argentina, there's no doubt Phil Neville's women will be looking to take the game to their Japanese opponents.

Key Points

• Match kicks-off at 20.00 BST
• Predicted starting XI: Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton, McManus, Greenwood, Moore, Parris, Scott, Kirby, Duggan, Taylor.

[19 June 2019 21:54 · Michael Jones]

Japan 0 - 2 England

In the other match of the night. Scotland have suffered serious heartbreak in Paris.

They were 3-0 up with 20 minutes to go but Argentina came back to 3-2. Argentina then won a penalty only for Leigh Alexander to save it.

VAR ruled that she left her line too soon and the penalty was retaken. Argentina scored and knocked Scotland out of the World Cup!

[19 June 2019 21:58 · Michael Jones]

England top Group D with three wins out of three

England's 2-0 win over Japan sees them top the group for the first time since 2011. This is the first time England have won their opening three games at a World Cup and only the second time they've topped the group at the end of the group stages. 

[19 June 2019 22:08 · Michael Jones]

England's next match

The Lionesses will next play in Valenciennes on Sunday.

They don't yet know who their opponent is, but it will be a third-place side. One of China, Cameroon, New Zealand, Chile or Thailand.

[19 June 2019 22:10 · Michael Jones]

Reaction from England's match winner, Ellen White: 

"We expected Japan to come at us hard in that second half so we were ready for it. We did well and we stuck together and we got the win. It's three wins from three so we take a lot of momentum into the knockouts now.

"I love scoring against Japan and playing for my country - it's a dream to be here.

"We'll keep growing as the tournament goes on. Our objective was to win the group and we've done that. Now, we need to recover and get ready for the next game."

[19 June 2019 22:11 · Michael Jones]

Player ratings for the Lionesses victory over Japan:

[19 June 2019 22:20 · Michael Jones]

England 2-0 Japan, match report: