China 1-0 Haiti: Wang Shuang scores winner after Rui Zhang red as England made to wait for last-16 spot
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Updated 28/07/2023 at 13:39 GMT
China beat Haiti 1-0 at the Women's World Cup thanks to a penalty from Wang Shuang. China were reduced to 10 players midway through the first half when Rui Zhang was sent off, but still managed to take the three points, which moves them level with Denmark in Group D. England are top of the group on six points and face China in their final game on Tuesday, August 1.
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China overcame a first-half red card to beat Haiti at the Women's World Cup and give their last-16 qualification hopes a boost.
The win moves China level with Denmark on three points in Group D.
England are top of the group on six points and face China in their final game on Tuesday, August 1.
China started the game on the front foot, moving the ball quickly and looking to use the wide areas to get past Haiti.
Shui Qingxia’s side were reduced to 10 players after 29 minutes after Rui Zhang was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Sherly Jeudy. Zhang was initially shown a yellow card but it was upgraded to a red following a swift VAR check.
Haiti emerged for the second half on the front foot, buoyed by the half-time entrance of their key player Melchie Dumornay, who was deemed not fit enough to start.
Nicolas Delepine’s side continued to push forward, sensing an opportunity to get a result against a tiring China side.
Wang Shuang fired China into the lead from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after Linyan Zhang was brought down by Ruthny Mathurin.
There was late penalty drama in stoppage-time after Haiti were awarded a penalty which was then overturned following a VAR check and then not awarded a penalty just moments later after Kethna Louis appeared to have been fouled.
TALKING POINT - A MATCH DICTATED BY DECISIONS
All of the post-match coverage and discussion surrounding this match will revolve around one thing – the officiating.
In a match that at times lacked quality, it was the big decisions made by Marta Huerta de Aza which shaped the game. Rui Zhang was sent off after 29 minutes for a clear foul, something that swung the match in Haiti’s favour. Haiti then conceded a penalty in the 74th minute which allowed China to take the lead. China were then denied what appeared to be another penalty just five minutes later.
Haiti then continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and in the 93rd minute they were awarded a penalty, which was then overturned following a VAR review. Just moments later arguably Haiti’s biggest and most obvious claim for a penalty came when Kethna Louis was seemingly taken out by Li Mengwen in the box, but VAR on this occasion did not check for a penalty, much to the fury of the Haiti staff.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - LINYAN ZHANG (CHINA)
The 22-year-old got forward well, particularly in the first half. Linyan Zhang then won the penalty which Wang Shuang converted to give China all three points. Zhang did well defensively after her side went down to 10 players, making three tackles and winning 10 duels.
PLAYER RATINGS
China: Zhu 7, Mengwen 7, Shanshan 7, Wei 7, Qiaozhu 6, Linwei 6, Lina 6, Linyan Zhang 8, Rui Zhang 4, Chengshu 6, Lou 6
Subs: Xin 6, Shuang 7, Jiaxing 6, Tang 6
Haiti: Theus 6, Mathurin 6, Louis 7, Tabita Joseph 6, Petit Frere 6, Pierre Louis 6, Moryl 6, Batcheba 7, Jeudy 7, Mondesir 7, Borgella 6
Subs: Dumornay 6, Eloissant 6, Surpris 6, Etienne 6, Kiki 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
29’ RED CARD – CHINA - Rui Zhang's yellow card has been upgraded to a red card for serious foul play. The China number 10 can have zero complaints with that decision.
42’ NO GOAL – OFFSIDE - Mondesir has the ball in the back of the net but it's quickly flagged for offside and it also took a touch off the referee in the build-up.
52’ A SPECTACULAR SAVE! - That is a stunning save from Yu Zhu to deny Melchie Dumornay! Dumornay strikes from point-blank range but Zhu palms it over the bar.
75’ GOAL – CHINA - Wang Shuang fires China ahead from the penalty spot! A superb penalty right into the bottom corner.
90+8 WHAT A CHANCE! JUST WIDE! - Modesir spins off the Chinese defender in the box before lashing an effort wide of the target! Was that the chance for Haiti?
90+10' LATE PENALTY DRAMA! Late drama after Kethna Louis was seemingly taken out by Li Mengwen in the box, VAR did not check for a penalty and China escaped without conceding what appeared to be a penalty.
KEY STAT
All four teams from Group D can still qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
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