Taylor's Goal Gives England Win Over Defiant Argentina, Seals Last-16 Place
LE HAVRE, France (AP) – Jodie Taylor scored her first international goal in 14 months to send England into the second round of the Women's World Cup on Friday in a 1-0 victory over Argentina.
The Argentines, who scored their first ever World Cup point in an opening draw against Japan, were resilient but Taylor finally found a way past goalkeeper Vanina Correa in the 61st minute after she had repeatedly thwarted England's attack. Correa saved a first-half penalty from Nikita Parris.
Taylor sneaked into a central location unchecked by the Argentine defense and met Beth Mead's low cross. She nudged the ball into the net and ended a 540-day England goal drought for the Golden Boot winner from the 2017 European Championship.
After edging Scotland 2-1 on Sunday, England has now opened a World Cup with back-to-back wins for the first time and advanced to the next round ahead of its final Group D match against Japan. Italy, France and Germany are also already through to the round of 16 with a game to spare.
