A Georgia Stanway penalty gave European champions England a scrappy 1-0 win over Haiti to begin their Women’s World Cup title bid in unconvincing fashion on Saturday.
Played in front of over 44,000 fans at Brisbane Stadium, most of who were supporting England, Stanway’s 29th-minute penalty proved to be enough to just about see off a gutsy Haitian side.
England went into the match as firm favourites over Haiti, who are playing in their first World Cup.
But despite dominating territory and possession, the Lionesses struggled to put Haiti away and had to rely on some late brilliance from goalkeeper Mary Earps to secure all three points.
In the lead-up to the tournament, England, who have been embroiled in a dispute with their football association over bonuses, aim to add the World Cup to the European crown they won at Wembley last year.
They came into the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the favourites along with holders the United States.
But they will have to step up a level for their next group games against Denmark and China, both of whom are higher than the 53rd-ranked Haiti.
England coach Sarina Wiegman said Haiti, who went into the tournament a largely unknown quantity, would trouble their other Group D opponents.
“The Dutch coach said, ‘We played a very hard game, and we were absolutely ready.”
“But Haiti played a very good game too. They were unpredictable, very direct, and very strong on the counterattack.
“They were really quick and very athletic. With a performance like that, I think the other two countries are really going to struggle with them.
“I’m just really happy we got the win and got the first three points in a really hard game.”
With expectations back home high, England seemed nervous in the opening stages in Brisbane and turned the ball over too easily.
Their midfield soon began to dominate and their front three were causing havoc in the Haiti box. Only some desperate defending kept the Lionesses at bay.