Not every seat at Old Trafford was taken when the Women’s European Championship got underway, but the noise with which England and Austria were escorted was impressive. The English fans saw that Austria played along nicely in the opening phase, but after more than fifteen minutes the score was opened by the home team. Fran Kirby got the ball with a bow at Beth Mead, who in turn lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper and scored the first goal of the tournament.
England got better and better and were soon close to a second goal via a header from Ellen White. The best chance came on the stroke of half-time after a well-played attack. Lauren Hemp had a free pass, but Manuela Zinsberger had a good shot and blocked the effort with a clever reflex. Austria had a few pinpricks in the first half, but could not enforce a real chance.
After the break, the visitors turned on more, but the English defense had its affairs in order. Despite Austria being much in the enemy half, goalkeeper Mary Earps barely had to take action. Only fifteen minutes before time she had to take action for the first time. Barbara Dunst came in and put the ball into the far corner, but Earps got it right. She also had to go to the corner again a few minutes before time, and she also did an excellent job.
For example, the first points for Wiegman and England have been received and Wiegman still has a hundred percent score when it comes to winning duels at a European Championship. The second game against Norway will follow on July 11, which will play against Northern Ireland on Thursday.