England Women vs Haiti Women. Women's World Cup Group D.
Suncorp StadiumAttendance44,369.
Match report as Georgia Stanway's penalty decides the tie; spot-kick had to be retaken as Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus had saved the first effort after moving off her line; England had earlier penalty shout also turned down by VAR; Lionesses go top of Group D
Saturday 22 July 2023 20:28, UK
Georgia Stanway's retaken first-half penalty was enough for England to edge past impressive tournament debutants Haiti 1-0 in their Women's World Cup opener.
In a dramatic opening 45 minutes, England had a first penalty appeal dismissed by VAR. The technology was called upon again soon after as the Lionesses were awarded a spot-kick after Batcheba Louis' handball.
Stanway's initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Kerly Theus - sparking a big celebration from her team-mates - but VAR spotted that she was off her line.
The referee ordered the penalty to be retaken, and Stanway expertly dispatched her second effort. It proved to be enough for the victory despite another below-par performance from England, while Haiti showed they were not at their first major tournament just to make up the numbers.
Melchie Dumornay and Roselord Borgella both saw chances fall their way, while England stopper Mary Earps was forced into two world-class saves in the second half to deny Haiti their first World Cup goal.
England have been joined at the top of Group D by Denmark after their own 1-0 win against China on Saturday, while Haiti have given themselves plenty of hope to pick up points against the remaining teams in the group.
The tone for an enthralling first half was set in the early minutes as Millie Bright and Ella Toone both played loose passes that allowed Haiti in behind. And it was Haiti who created the best early opener as Borgella took advantage of a rash Bright decision, but she struck her effort wide.
The first of three VAR reviews came in the 16th minute. The officials checked for an England penalty after a clumsy Dayana Pierre-Louis challenge on Chloe Kelly. However, just before, Alessia Russo had clipped Tabita Joseph. The referee checked the pitchside monitor, instead handing Haiti a free-kick.
Another VAR check was not far behind. Lucy Bronze's flick was judged to have hit Louis on the hand, with Georgia Stanway stepping up for England. However, her first effort was well-saved by Theus, with her teammates surrounding her in celebration.
However, they were short-lived as VAR spotted the goalkeeper off her line and the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken. Stanway did not miss a second time, breaking the deadlock and ending England's three-match run without a goal.
There were chances at either end as the half continued, and the impressive Haitians should have gone into the break on level terms. Borgella missed both chances after being set up by Dumornay, while Russo was England's most potent outlet at the other end.
Within five minutes of the second half, Haiti fired yet another warning shot. Dumornay let fly from 20 yards, but an acrobatic, one-handed save from Earps kept it at bay, as England scrambled away the rebound.
Russo too had two quick efforts dealt with by Theus before Bright send a wild volley into the stands when well placed.
The game continued in the same vein - England wasting the openings that came their way, while Haiti looked the more threatening at the other end. Earps was needed again, firstly to deny Roseline Eloissaint, before punching away a nervy late corner for Haiti to ensure England came away with an opening three points.
England manager Sarina Wiegman to ITV Sport:
"It was a very hard game, I'm very happy with the three points. They were very unpredictable, very transitional. That's what they showed and we struggled with that. We did create chances but we lost the ball and then they were gone. That was hard for us.
"We want to finish our chances. We did it with the penalty which was good because the win is the most important thing.
"We were very close [to scoring], we were sometimes too close to the goalkeeper, who was courageous. Sometimes we had the last pass instead of shooting ourselves. I hope the next game in open play we can score a goal."
England scorer Georgia Stanway to ITV Sport:
"They challenged us. They were very dangerous on the counter-attack, that is something we will work on now in training. Mary came up with a big save and everyone played their part.
"She's very good, a top 'keeper. Those are the moments that makes them become a top 'keeper."
On her penalty: "I was just focused on the ball, focused on the situation and blocked out everything. The first one was a very good save, so credit for the save, but she was off her line. There's a process I go through and I just stuck to that."
England forward Alessia Russo to Sky Sports News:
"It's positive to get the three points, but we know there's lots of build on. We'll reflect on it and we'll be ready and working hard ahead of Denmark.
"I don't think you can take anyone as an underdog in this tournament. Haiti have some good players, they're physical, which is not something we're used to facing.
"They posed some threats and we could have dealt with them better at times. But the first game is done, we've got three points and we'll build on it."
On Stanway retaking her penalty: "I knew she'd come up with something later on in the game, whether it was a second penalty or another shot. I said to her 'you'll get another chance, just take it'. She was very calm and composed and I knew when she got the second chance, she'd put it in the back of the net."
On Earps: "She made two massive saves for us tonight. That's just the quality that she has. That proves why she's the best in the world, we all know it and now the whole world is seeing it. She's great and when her time is called upon, she's there to back us all up."
England next face Denmark on July 28, kick-off 9.30am, before concluding their group stage campaign against China on August 1, kick-off 12pm.
The group stage has begun and runs over a two-week period finishing on August 3. Group winners and runners-up progress to the round of 16, which takes place from August 5 to August 8.
The quarter-finals, which will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, are scheduled for August 11 and 12.
The first semi-final will then be played on August 15 in Auckland, with the other semi-final taking place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which will then host the final on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
