England registered a convincing win over Haiti in their opening game of the FIFA world cup. The Sarina Wiegman coached side delivered quality performances on the pitch to secure a highly crucial victory right at the beginning of their World Cup campaign. The team did brilliantly well in the major phases of the game. The three Lions had 75% possession of the ball and attempted a total of 21 shots during the game. Three crucial points in their bag means that they’re now comfortably sitting right at the top of their table.
The first big chance of the maths surprisingly came in for Haiti in the 14th minute of the game. Dumornay’s well-weighted through ball found Borgella who was through towards the goal. However Earps having advanced much, the Haiti central forward could only drag her shot wide of target to squander a big opportunity. England had their moment in the 28th minute when they were awarded a free kick by VAR following a Haitian handball in the box by Batcheba Louis. Georgia Stanway stood up to take the penalty and fired it in on her second attempt after being asked to retake her shot due to the goalkeeper having encroached earlier. Haiti did have another chance towards the dying minutes of the first half as A corner kick was clipped in fantastically by Dumornay, but couldn’t find any Haitian in the box as the ball rolled behind for a corner kick. The first half ended at 1-0 with England leading.
Haiti has another big opportunity to level the scores earlier in the second half. A lapse from Bronze saw her being dispossessed by Dumornay who curled in a fine shot only to see her effort being parried away by Earps between the sticks. Haiti came within touching distance of equalising as England almost conceded a goal following a defensive blunder at the back. Mondesir turned in the box to tee up Eloissaint whose first-time shot was saved by Earp’s outstretched leg to keep England afloat. That seemingly was the last big chance for either of the sides in the game as the pace of the match overall considerably went down towards the last few minutes. FT:- England 1-0 Haiti.
England shall next be facing Denmark. Haiti meanwhile shall be taking on China in their next group-stage match.
