England Powerchair close in on World Cup semi-final with victory over Uruguay

England Powerchair were just edged out 3-1 by two-time world champions USA at the 2023 World Cup but they bounced back to record an impressive 5-0 win over Uruguay.

The ten teams competing at the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup all face each other in a round-robin event before the top four progress to the semi-finals on Friday.

England currently find themselves in third place on 15 points after seven matches, meaning they only need to secure one win in one of their final two group games against Japan and bottom-placed Northern Ireland to progress to the semi-finals.

Another incredible day of football in the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup! 🌏💥#PowerchairFootball #FIPFAPowerchairWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/nsxocUgi2N

— FIPFA (@OfficialFIPFA) October 18, 2023

England started brightly against the USA, with Jon Bolding forcing a save early on, but it was their opponents who took the lead through Riley Johnson after an impressive free-kick routine.

Great defending from Bolding then denied Pete Winslow and moments after the England captain had a free-kick of his own go just wide, the USA extended their advantage with another trademark set-piece goal.

Once again it was Winslow’s delivery, this time from a corner, and Johnson ghosted in at the back post to score.

Marcus Harrison went close to scoring early in the second half following Ed Common’s fine pass and the West Bromwich Albion winger did pull one back through a fine solo effort as he rounded the USA goalkeeper to score.

Johnson thought he had completed his hat-trick in the final ten minutes but it was ruled out due to contact.

Common and Harrison both had shots saved as England chased an equaliser but it was Winslow who grabbed the game's fourth goal in the final minute as the USA star caught out the Para Lions defence with a quick kick-in.

Colin Gordon’s side did secure victory in their second game of the day though against Uruguay.

Harrison opened the scoring when he applied the finish after Dan McLellan had won the ball back in the Uruguay area and Bolding played the pass through.

Substitute Common then scored a classy second after some neat triangular passing with Bolding and Harrison.

It was then three early in the second half as Brad Bates intercepted a Uruguay free-kick and played a one-two with Common to score.

More slick play from Bates and Bolding then saw Common grab his second goal of the day at the far post.

And the win was rounded off in injury-time by McLellan as he read the goalkeeper’s clearance to score with a first-time shot.

Next up for England will be their final two group games on Thursday against Japan and Northern Ireland, which you can watch by clicking on the hyperlinks above.

England starting line-up v USA: 7 Chris Gordon, 8 Jon Bolding, 9 Marcus Harrison, 10 Dan McLellan

Substitutes: 4 Ed Common for McLellan 20

Substitutes not used: 5 Dave Lewis, 11 Tyler Reeve, 19 Brad Bates

Goals: Marcus Harrison 26

England starting line-up v Denmark: 4 Ed Common, 7 Chris Gordon, 8 Jon Bolding, 9 Marcus Harrison

Substitutes: 4 Ed Common for McLellan 13, 19 Brad Bates for Harrison 20, 5 Dave Lewis for Common 28, Harrison for Bolding 28, 11 Tyler Reeve for Gordon 30, McLellan for Harrison 35, Common for Bates 35

Goals: Marcus Harrison 8, Ed Common 16, 27, Brad Bates 24, Dan McLellan 40+2