Hosts Argentina also notched their second win, 1-0 against South Korea, and South Africa overcame Spain 2-1 with a wonder winner from Sulette Damons in two more tight Pool A matches.

Hannah McLeod's strike from a first-minute penalty corner put England on six points following their 3-2 win against Spain on Sunday (August 29), while China, who lost 2-1 to South Korea, are in danger of failing to reach the semi-finals.

China were frustrated by a strong England defence and solid performance from goalkeeper Beth Storry in a spirited contest that saw a raft of players sent off.

England captain Kate Walsh and China's Sun Sinan were both handed green cards, while Sun's team mate Fu Baorong was given a yellow card.

Britain's head coach Danny Kerry admittd afterwards that Storry was the hero.

He said: "We won the game in the first half.  Beth was outstanding.

"China threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half and we’ll have to learn to be more resolute in those situations in the future."

The result, England’s second consecutive win at the 2010 World Cup, is England’s best start to a World Cup since 1990. 

In Sydney 20 years ago, England went on to finish fourth, their best World Cup finish.

Argentina went ahead early in the second half when Luciana Aymar shot from the right, the ball rose from goalkeeper Moon Young-hui's block and Carla Rebecchi hit it into the goal from waist height.

South Africa bounced back from their 5-2 loss to Argentina on Sunday to beat Spain thanks to Damon's wonder strike.

A high cross came into the Spain circle nine minutes from the end and Damons volleyed the ball into the net with her reverse stick. Spain protested to no avail against the high cross.