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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Josh Challies

New Man City signing Ellen White faces Golden Boot battle in World Cup semi-final

As England march towards the semi-finals of the World Cup and prepare for a stern test against defending champions the United States in Lyon, Manchester City forward Ellen White faces another individual battle.

The 30-year-old has struck five goals at the World Cup this summer, more than any other Lionesses striker at a single tournament, and sits joint-top of the scoring charts as the tournament heads into it's last week.

Signed from Birmingham City before the action in France began, White has scored against every opponent she has faced so far this summer, including braces against Japan and Cameroon, which puts her in a strong position heading into the clash against the USA.

She is not alone on her five-goal tally though, as she's perched at the top of the scoring charts alongside Australia's Sam Kerr, who has been eliminated from the tournament, along with USA duo Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.

All five of Morgan's goals came in the opening match of the group stage against Thailand, a 13-0 triumph for the 2015 winners, but she has not found the net since - although her importance to the United States continues to be significant.

Rapinoe, on the other hand, enters the game at Lyon in fine form after scoring braces against Spain and host nation France in the knockout phase and has taken centre-stage in the tournament through her vocal war of words with US president Donald Trump.

Both Rapinoe and White both enter the game with five goals from four appearances at the competition thus far and will be the leading women for their nation, causing a stern challenge for the opposition defenders.

White will be encouraged by some of the defensive showings from the United States in their 2-1 victory over France on Friday evening, as they often left themselves exposed at the back and a late goal for the host nation in Paris led to a nervy finish.

The likes of Rapinoe and Morgan will keep England captain Steph Houghton and her defensive partner Millie Bright on their toes in Lyon, so the pressure is on White and company to do the business at the other end of the field.

White will shoulder a lot of that responsibility, although the likes of Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby will also be crucial, and even a single goal may be enough to win the Golden Boot.

You certainly wouldn't bet against White to extend her record, although the same is the case for Rapinoe - which makes for an exciting battle in the World Cup semi-final.

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