England squeezed past Haiti on Saturday to open their Women’s World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win.
As predicted beforehand, this Group D opener was dominated by Haiti’s physical approach and speed on the counter with the latter forging an early opening for Roselord Borgella, who rolled a one-on-one effort wide of Mary Earps’ goal.
Alessi Russo had enjoyed a couple of half chances for England yet found herself pulled up by VAR as officials checked a possible penalty foul on Chloe Kelly. Dayana Pierre-Louis was the lucky recipient of only a yellow card - but no spot-kick - for raking her studs down the winger’s shin after Russo’s minor infringement had been spotted.
VAR was again called upon a couple of minutes later when Batcheba Louis’ handball finally earned England a penalty on review.
Georgia Stanway stepped up and saw a shot destined for the top corner superbly denied by Kerly Theus, only for the goalkeeper to have stepped off her line. A retake was ordered and Stanway capped a mad few minutes by drilling home the opening goal on 29 minutes.
England settled somewhat and Russo nodded a clear opening wide but the Lionesses were still vulnerable on the break. Borgella flicked a lovely cross from the Lyon-bound teenager Melchie Daelle Dumornay wide late in the half and, after the break, Dumornay forced Earps into her first save.
Lauren James was introduced on the hour mark by Sarina Wiegman but England continued to struggle to secure the three points.
Georgia Stanway fires #ENG ahead 🙌
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 22, 2023
No mistake this time! Stanway confident and assured scores England's first goal at #FIFAWWC! pic.twitter.com/kuhsGwrU7x
Russo saw a pair of snapshots saved well by Theus as their pursuit of a much-needed second goal proved fruitless.
The inevitable golden opportunity for Haiti fell to Roseline Eloissaint with ten minutes left yet Earps pulled off a superb stop to deny the substitute one-on-one.
