Women's World Cup 2023: Day Three round up as two teams are the surprise winners
22.07.2023 - 16:31
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Georgia Stanway’s penalty helped a disjointed England overcome Haiti and make a winning start to their World Cup campaign.
The Lionesses' Group D looks set to be a tight affair as Denmark, England's next opponents, needed a last-gasp goal to beat China.
USA and Japan secured far more convincing victories against minnow opposition on the third day of action in Australia and New Zealand.
England 1-0 Haiti: Lionesses fail to show teeth
Celebrations were subdued in Brisbane after the European champions made an underwhelming start to their question for world domination.
Haiti, ranked 49 places lower than England in the world rankings, forced Mary Earps into two vital saves with Melchie Dumornay’s dynamism key to their counter-attacking strategy.
VAR was kept busy in the first half, denying a strong penalty shout for a foul on Chloe Kelly and then coming to England’s rescue in spotting a Haitian handball deserving of a spot-kick.
Stanway converted a retake - having seen the first saved by an encroaching Kerly Theus - to earn victory for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who haven’t scored in open play since April.
“The win is the most important thing but we need to finish our chances,” said Wiegman. “Sometimes we had a moment where we might have had the last pass instead of shooting ourselves, little things like that. We were very close so I hope the next game in open play we can score a goal.”
USA 3-0 Vietnam: Holders up and running
USA’s Sophia Smith underlined her growing reputation with a fine brace on World Cup debut to anchor a 3-0 win over Vietnam.
Smith, tipped as the tournament’s breakout star, netted twice in the first half to set the four-time winners on their way to a convincing win in Auckland.
But like England, USA fans