England wins Women’s World Cup opener

<p>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.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>England went into the match as firm favourites over Haiti, who are playing in their first World Cup.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>England, who have been embroiled in a dispute with their football association over bonuses in the lead-up to the tournament, are aiming to add the World Cup to the European crown they won at Wembley last year.</p>, <p>They came into the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the favourites along with holders the United States.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>England coach Sarina Wiegman said Haiti, who went into the tournament a largely unknown quantity, would trouble their other Group D opponents.</p>, <p>“We played a very hard game, we were absolutely ready,” said the Dutch coach.</p>, <p>“But Haiti played a very good game too. They were unpredictable, very direct, and very strong on the counterattack.</p>, <p>“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.</p>, <p>“I’m just really happy we got the win and got the first three points in a really hard game.”</p>, <p>With expectations back home high, England seemed nervous in the opening stages in Brisbane and turned the ball over too easily.</p>, <p>Their midfield soon began to dominate and their front three were causing havoc in the Haiti box. Only some desperate defending k