The tournament was hosted in Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the competition began with England vs. Haiti. England was recognized as the 2022 Women’s European Champions, and one of their accomplishments was winning the World Cup. On the other side, the Haitian Women’s National Team made its World Cup debut in order to demonstrate their country that they can have a positive outlook despite coping with natural disasters in their home country, as well as to show fans that women can play soccer just as well as men. England’s first match was hosted in The Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland. Coach Sabrina Wiegman, who previously coached the Netherlands to glory in the 2017 Women’s Euro Finals, is currently coaching England’s next generation of female footballers.
The Lionesses started off with Chloe Kelly, who helped England achieve the European Championship last season. She got her time in the fourth minute and attempted to kick for distance, but Kerly Théus, the goaltender, saved it. Georgia Stanway had the opportunity to maintain the ball in midfield in the fifth minute although was unable to hold it off. Roselord Borgella of Haiti nearly scored the team’s inaugural goal in the 14th minute, but an enormous run caused her to kick it far right. Chloe Kelly attempted a cross-kick to Alessia Russo in the 21st minute, but the goaltender made a superb save.
During the 25th minute, while England attempted a corner kick, the Lionesses were ready to take possession of the ball when Lucy Bronze signaled that Haiti had been caught for handball inside the penalty area. The referee conducted a review and it was judged a penalty, with Georgia Stanway taking charge of the penalty kick. After Georgia Stanway’s first penalty was saved, the referee determined that it appeared the defending goalkeeper had left her line earlier than expected which England are managed to retry their penalty kick. Stanway then returned to the same spot to give England a 1-0 lead. England is 13-2-0 in the Women’s World Cup when scoring first. The roaring crowd give the atmosphere their approval and viewed it as proof of their strength. Lucy Bronze offered it to Georgia Stanway, who immediately passed it to Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp, who took an unexpected run to grab the goal, which ultimately was deflected by the goaltender. England believed throughout the final five minutes, including stoppage time, that Haiti had gained momentum on power until halftime. Because it was a competitive match throughout most of the time, the crowd cheered on both teams for showing spirit of the power of play.
Melchine Dumornay of Haiti rushed the ball and carried out a strong kick in the 50th minute, and Mary Earps, England’s goalkeeper, managed to send it away and Keira Walsh capitalized to move outside of the goal zone. During the 58th minute, Ella Toone passed the ball to Alessia Russo, who took the run and Haiti’s defense took the ball and kicked it out of the zone, but England quickly came once more after 30 seconds with a chance from Russo, which Haiti encounters more power on using the ball to give England greater pressure. Stanway had a long pass kick to Russo in the 64th minute but sent it a little too high, which the goaltender stopped like a punt for volleyball. Kerly Théus began to become more dangerous at punting the ball about, which England was intent on capitalizing on for the purpose to get a second goal. Lucy Bronze delivered to Alex Greenwood in the 74th minute but kicked above the goalie, which Russo did not succeed to use the header in the vicinity of the goal. Her aggressive defense maintained everything compact for her teammates as they battled for survival. Chloe Kelly intended to utilize the ball in the 79th minute but intended to raise her hand for handball, therefore Lucy Bronze made the decision to loop the cross to Bethany England, who beat Théus but swiftly pulled away. When Kelly dribbled the ball and shifted around Théus in the 81st minute, Millie Bright provided it to Bronze, who subsequently gave it to Stanway. Nerillia Mondesir seized the ball and sprinted on the opposite side of the field shortly after, but Jess Carter guarded her as Roseline Eloissaint nearly equaled the match for Haiti before Earps made an exceptional save and punted it out. Daly came close to her chances of giving England the advantage when Kelly passed the ball around the outside of her cross in the 82nd minute. Throughout the whole match, England and Haiti engaged in continuous, intense contemplation. Finally, both teams committed several foolish fouls and a few injuries, which made the game extremely close overall. Haiti took a corner kick in the 91st minute, which Earps volleyed out and punched away. England responded forcefully, especially when Haiti kicked it out for a high ball. Haiti, on the other side, played really well for their first game even though the match finished with England winning 1-0, Haiti played really well in their debut match, but they were unable to overcome England, despite their excellent play.
The Lionesses has played their performance despite that without their loyalists Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, England prevailed to secure out an exhausting victory over a feisty young Haitian squad. Its lone goal occurred upon a penalty kick in the first half. Sarina Wiegman, the team’s coach, has to figure out a method to get her team back on track after winning the Euros last year. Which England has to be more assertive in order to for her team to do well in the World Cup Knockoff Stage. However the Lionesses did well with a large crowd that did great on supporting them and showed their effort that women can play football or soccer as well. England kept their loyal spirit up and show the world that they want to be the best of Europe included the world to show their characteristics.
