Lionesses labour to opening win

England overcame a resilient performance from underdogs Haiti to secure an unconvincing 1-0 triumph in their FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) opener, as Sarina Wiegman’s side ended a mini-run of two matches without a win.

As per all pre-match expectations, the Lionesses dominated early on, with Lucy Bronze, Chloe Kelly and Alessio Russo all going close inside the opening 10 minutes. However, it was a Haiti mistake shortly before the half-hour mark that ultimately broke the deadlock, when Batcheba Louis inexplicably handled in the box. Georgia Stanway stepped up the spot and saw her spot-kick superbly thwarted by Kerly Theus, but after a review, the Haiti stopper was deemed to have strayed from her line, allowing Stanway to clinically sweep home at the second time of asking.

Prior to the match, Haiti midfielder Ruthny Mathurin had insisted her nation wasn’t in the tournament just to make up the numbers, but “to make history”. Perhaps acting on those words, Les Grenadières finally started to pose Sarina Wiegman’s side with some problems as HT approached. Roselord Borgella spearheaded their best opportunities just prior to the break, though she missed the target with two close-range headers as England maintained their slender advantage in Brisbane.

Buoyed by a positive first-half showing, Haiti carried their momentum into the early stages of the second period, with the lively Melchie Dumonay seeing a powerful strike palmed away by Mary Earps. England, clearly missing the presence of injured duo Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, looked to up the ante with time ticking into the final half-hour, Sadly though, wasteful finishing from Russo and Kelly continued to frustrate those who had travelled thousands of miles to cheer on the misfiring Lionesses.

Eager to inject some added impetus into England’s attack, Wiegman introduced Lauren James and Rachel Daly late on. Yet, it was Earps who again came to England’s rescue, saving brilliantly from substitute Roseline Eloissaint. That save proved to be vital for the Lionesses, as they held on during the closing stages to seal a hard-fought victory. As for Haiti – who overcame the likes of Mexico and Chile to make a first-ever WWC appearance – they can hold their heads high after a battling performance against the reigning European champions, despite the result representing a sixth loss in seven outings.