Striker Alessia Russo netted her first Women’s World Cup goal as England thrashed China to progress to the knockout stages of the tournament on Tuesday.

Maidstone’s Russo, 24, got things going for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses with a fourth-minute goal in their record-equalling World Cup 6-1 win over China while fellow Kent player Laura Coombs came off the bench to get an assist.

There were two goals and three assists for Chelsea forward Lauren James.

Others on target for England in front of a crowd of 13,497 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, included Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly, set up by Gravesend-born Man City midfielder Coombs.

With three victories from three, England finish Group D as winners, ahead of Denmark in second, and will take on Nigeria in the last 16 on Monday (8.30am kick-off UK time).

Coombs, 32, had made her first major tournament appearance as a substitute in a scrappy 1-0 victory against Denmark last Friday after a win by the same scoreline against minnows Haiti.

Russo has started all three group-stage games up front for the Lionesses.