England kick-started their Women’s World Cup campaign with a less-than convincing win over Haiti on Saturday.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses triumphed 1-0 at the Suncorp Stadium thanks to Georgia Stanway’s spot-kick in the first-half.
The Bayern Munich midfielder was spared her blushes after initially seeing her penalty saved by the Haiti goalkeeper, before the referee said for it to be retaken.
That wasn’t the only point of controversy from the afternoon, with plenty to talk about both on and off the pitch.
And so, here, Mail Sport’s KATHRYN BATTE talks you through all the best bits from England’s World Cup opening win.
England secured a 1-0 win over Haiti in their Women’s World Cup opener on Saturday
The Lionesses made tough work of their outing at the Suncorp Stadium for their first match
BRISBANE MISSING WORLD CUP SPIRIT
With Australia set to visit Brisbane for their second game, you’d have thought World Cup fever would be hitting the city by now.
But instead of decking the town with promotion of the Matildas, there was a huge Olympics sign by the city hall yesterday.
Brisbane will host the Games in 2032 and, despite being nine years away, they seem more keen to promote that than the on-going football tournament.
WRIGHT WATCHES ON
The Lionesses were cheered on by one of their biggest fans last night, with Arsenal legend and pundit Ian Wright watching on from the stands.
The former England striker has long been a supporter of women’s football and has promised to watch a number of players in action at this tournament.
Wright, though, was not impressed by the number of signs in the stadium asking for players’ shirts. ‘We have to ban those signs asking for player shirts!!!’ he said on Twitter.
Ian Wright (pictured in September 2022) has been a strong supporter of the Lionesses and continued that by attending their Women’s World Cup opener
TOONE IN THE TEN
Ella Toone started in the No 10 role for England but spent more time out wide than in the middle. Nearly all her successful passes came on the left, with just three completed in the central area (left).
There was debate before kick-off as to whether Sarina Wiegman would use her as an impact sub, as she did at the Euros, and start Lauren James as No 10.
SUNCORP GETS FLOODED
The Suncorp Stadium is by far one of the best venues at this World Cup.
Home to soccer team Brisbane Roar and Rugby League side Brisbane Broncos, the stadium has twice been severely flooded – in 2011 and 2022, with rectification works taking place at the end of last year.
Ella Toone was deployed in the No. 10 role but spent the majority of the match out wide
CRUSADERS IN OZ
It is not often you see fans dressed as crusaders at women’s matches but one England supporter decked out in full costume was picked up on the big screen before kick-off.
FIFA had told fans in Qatar the outfits were ‘offensive’ and were threatened with bans.
NO PHYSICAL PROGRAMMES
Programme collectors would have been disappointed last night, with no option for fans to buy a physical copy for yesterday’s game.
Members of the press could access a programme and team sheet digitally but no printed versions were available.
England fans would not have been able to purchase a physical programme from the match
MIC’D UP REFS
It has been a unique experience to hear referees give their reasoning for decisions following VAR reviews.
The on-field officials have microphones and have to explain why they have reached their outcome to fans in the stadium. Emikar Calderas, the referee for England’s win over Haiti, could have done with being louder as it was hard to hear her over the cheers. The addition, though, seems popular.
