There wasn’t much to see of last year’s momentum: European champions England had a really hard time against outsiders Haiti in their World Cup opening game. In the end, the favorite won with difficulty 1-0 (1-0). Bayern player Georgia Stanway scored the golden goal with a penalty (29th).
The English team will have to do without three very important players at the World Cup: Midfield engine Fran Kirby is missing after knee surgery, European Championship top scorer Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson are absent due to cruciate ligament tears.
Others have to step into the breach. Alessia Russo, for example, who was sent by coach Sarina Wiegman as a starting striker in the match against Haiti. And who also got a good chance to graduate. After six minutes, the ball fell at her feet at the 16 mark. But her graduation landed in the receptive arms of Haiti’s Kerly Théus.
Borgella lets Haiti lead lie, Stanway forgives from the point
Haiti, in whose midfield Melchie Dumornay (who has just been transferred to Olympique Lyon) is the outstanding player, played courageously at the beginning of the game. And it was the freshly crowned France legionnaire who almost initiated the sensational lead for the outsider. Her pass on one of the numerous counterattacks reached Roselord Borgella, who was able to run alone towards the English goal. However, she finished just wide of the goal to the left (14′).
A penalty kick had to pave the way for the European champions in the 26th minute. But this also turned out to be a tough affair. The origin is still clear: Haiti defender Batcheba Louis played the ball clearly with her hand in her own penalty area. Georgia Stanway went on but was denied by the fantastically reacting goalkeeper Théus. But she was allowed to play again – Théus had moved a little too early. This time the player from FC Bayern made it 1-0 in the 29th minute.
Haiti plays boldly forward
Stanway and Co. were very happy about the lead – but the goal did not turn out to be the hoped-for initial spark. England’s lecture remained conservative. There was hardly anything to be seen of the furious attacking game with which the Brits had been so enthusiastic at the European Championships last year.
In Brisbane, Australia, they now had to be more careful not to be surprised by Haiti. Because the opponents played fresh forward. And they came close to making it 1-1 in injury time in the first half when Borgella could have headed freely from six yards, but somehow missed the ball.