England 1-0 Haiti: Georgia Stanway penalty gives Lionesses nervy win in World Cup 2023 opener
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Updated 22/07/2023 at 12:12 GMT
England got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start on Saturday morning with a nervy 1-0 win over Haiti. Georgia Stanway was the only goalscorer as she gave her team the lead from the penalty spot in the first half. England didn’t always look comfortable against their less experienced opponents and will hope to improve ahead of the next game.
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England opened their 2023 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Haiti in Brisbane on Friday.
The European champions took the lead through a re-taken Georgia Stanway penalty in the first half. Alessia Russo missed another good chance for England, while Roselord Borgella spurned two good opportunities for Haiti.
In the second-half Russo forced two good saves from Kerly Theus as England dominated possession. Haiti continued to look dangerous in transition, and a superb save by Mary Earps from substitute Roseline Eloissaint kept England ahead with ten minutes to go.
England now move on to Sydney to play Denmark on Friday, while Haiti will face China in Adelaide later that day.
TALKING POINT
While England scored 22 goals in six matches to win Euro 2022, it was their outstanding backline that underpinned the whole victory. That outfield quartet has now changed, with captain Leah Williamson absent through injury and the left-back from that triumph, Rachel Daly, now repositioned as a centre-forward in this squad.
Millie Bright, dominant a year ago, is still there but looked understandably rusty today after a four month lay-off. She was partnered by Jess Carter, with Alex Greenwood at left-back in a new-look defence. The signs are that it will take time for this new combination to bed in, as Haiti caused England several headaches on the break in Brisbane.
Wiegman will be thankful for the presence of Mary Earps. Nike might not be selling her shirt, but her value is not unnoticed by her team, as Earps made a stunning save with ten minutes to go to ensure that England held on to win. Tougher tests will be coming England’s way in the coming weeks though, and they will need to tighten up at the back to go deep in this tournament.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Chloe Kelly (England)
She provided the iconic, defining image of England’s memorable summer in 2022, but Chloe Kelly raced around Brisbane here like she still has plenty she wants to do in international football. Kelly turned in a high-octane performance that drove England to victory here and was a constant menace down either side.
PLAYER RATINGS
England (4-3-3): Earps 8; Bronze 7, Bright 5, Carter 6, Greenwood 6; Walsh 6, Stanway 7, Toone 6; Kelly 8, Russo 7, Hemp 6
Subs: James 7, Daly 7
Haiti (4-2-3-1): Theus 7; Petit-Frere 6, Limage 5, Tabita Joseph 6, Kethna Louis 6; Jeudy 6, Pierre-Louis 6; Batcheba Louis 5, Dumornay 8, Mondesir 7; Borgella 5
Subs: Mathurin 6, Eloissaint 6, Darlina Joseph 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
27’ PENALTY TO ENGLAND! It was a light brush of the fingertips, but it's been given. Stanway to take...
28’ PENALTY SAVED! BUT WE'RE NOT DONE!
What a save this is! Stanway drills it hard and to Theus' right, and Theus gets across to push it wide of the post. Hold on though - Theus has been pulled up for stepping off her line to early, and it will be taken again!
29’ GOAL! ENGLAND 1 (STANWAY PEN 29) HAITI 0
It's in this time! Stanway keeps it lower this time, fired to the same side. Theus goes the wrong way, and England are in front!
50’ GOOD SAVE! Bronze loses the ball to Dumornay on the touchline. Dumornay charges into the area and unloads with her right. It's fierce, but it's straight at Earps who parries away and England clear.
58’ BANG BANG! Two quick chances here from Russo, with sharp shots on the turn forcing a pair of good saves from Theus. Russo is looking sharp out there.
81’ SUPERB SAVE! Earps keeps England ahead! Mondesir leads another Haiti break, and slides a lovely ball to Eloissaint who has a clean look. Eloissant opens up and shoots for the bottom corner from 12 yards out. Earps throws out an instinctive foot and makes a superb save!
This is frenetic now, and England go straight up the other end. Kelly crosses, and Daly plants a header at goal that Theus saves well.
KEY STAT
Stanway’s penalty was the first England have scored at the World Cup since 2019, after missing their last three attempts.
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