In case we needed reminding, the latest day’s play emphasised you can’t take anything for granted at the Women’s World Cup, as defending champion the United States got through by the proverbial coat of paint in Auckland. 

In other events, a false fire alarm brought play to a standstill, England cruised to victory thanks to a new star of the tournament and we found out who the Matildas’ next opponent will be.

Here are five talking points ahead of day 14 of the Women’s World Cup.

1. The champs are still here … just

The Americans came into the Women’s World Cup as the two-time defending champions and tournament favourites.

But by the end of the group stage, the United States was relieved simply to still be in the competition.

“That was stressful. I was like [expletive],” said United States star Megan Rapinoe, using a curse word to describe her emotions after the team squeezed into the knockout stage with a 0-0 draw against Portugal.

Had Portugal substitute Ana Capeta’s shot gone into the net rather than hit the post and rebounded out in stoppage time, the Americans might have been eliminated.

As it is, they are advancing in second place behind the Netherlands, who crushed Vietnam 7-0 in the group’s other game.

A blast of relief ran through every American player, coach and fan in Eden Park when the final whistle sounded.

“We’re not happy with the performance we put out there, but at the same time we’re moving on,” Alex Morgan said. “This isn’t the first time in my career that we’ve moved on second in the group.”

The back-to-back defending champions scored just four goals during the three-game group stage. And three of those goals were scored in their tournament opener against Vietnam.

The 2019 United States team more than tripled that number in its group-stage opener against Thailand, which it won 13-0 in a record for goals in a match at a Women’s World Cup.

The United States will likely play Sweden in the round of 16.

On Fox Sport in the US, former USWNT great Carli Lloyd was not holding back as she watched the players celebrate with fans after securing their place in the next round.

“To be dancing? To be smiling? The player of the match was that post,” a fired-up Lloyd said. Ouch.

2. Someone turn off that alarm in Auckland

On what was a tougher-than-expected day for the US players, they and their Portuguese rivals had something else to handle as well as the pressure.

An extremely loud fire alarm echoed around the stadium at Eden Park for several minutes during the game.

It was eventually declared a false alarm in a public address announcement.

A minute or two into the second half, the fire alarm sounded and an announcement blared: “Attention, attention, the fire alarms are sounding.”

The alarm stopped just as the stadium clock hit 50 minutes into the game.

The alarm sound came with a recording, urging fans to find the nearest exit, but the stands were not evacuated and play continued on the field.

The PA announcer then came on to say that there had been a false alarm.

We’re relieved there wasn’t a real issue, and everyone was safe, but that’s not exactly what you need at a big tournament, is it?

3. Lauren James kills it in Lionesses’ win

It’s been wonderful watching some of the breakout stars of this year’s Women’s World Cup as they produce moments of brilliance on the biggest stage.

We’ve spoken about the likes of Colombia’s Linda Caicedo, and Brazil’s Ary Borges. But now we have to take off our collective cap to England forward Lauren James, who almost single-handedly put paid to China’s chances in Adelaide.

Her match tally? A lazy two goals and three assists.

As the fans held up signs in praise of the 21-year-old Londoner, James was running the game.

She started off in the fourth minute, setting up Alessia Russo for England’s opener, then providing a pass for Lauren Hemp to make it two in the 26th minute.

Then it was time for James to show her finishing skills. A free kick from Alex Greenwood was pulled back to just outside the box where James was waiting — she had eight Chinese defenders (plus the keeper) between her and the goal, but her right foot shot swept into the net for a stunning goal.

With just under 25 minutes to go, James made it four as she timed her run perfectly to meet Jessica Carter’s long cross 

It turns out the only thing that could stop James at Hindmarsh Stadium was VAR. Right before half-time, Lucy Bronze was ruled offside in the lead-up to James curling another one into the top corner.

But on this display, Nigeria will not want to face James or England in the round of 16, nor will anyone else.

4. It’s goodbye to China and thanks to the fans

Sadly, England’s success meant farewell to the Women’s World Cup for China.

There was a sizeable crowd of Chinese football fans at Hindmarsh Stadium screaming “Jiayou!” — which translates to “go for it” or “don’t give up” — and at times it felt like every person in the stadium was joining in.