England made a winning start to their much-anticipated Euro 2022 campaign with a 1-0 victory against Austria at Old Trafford thanks to Beth Mead’s first-half goal.
She put the Lionesses ahead in the 16th minute – lifting the ball over Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger in the tournament curtain-raiser.
Although Austria defender Carina Wenninger tried to clear off the line, with her effort hitting the bar and flying away from goal, the ball was ruled to have crossed the line.
England’s Ellen White had a chance to double the advantage around 10 minutes later when she connected with Lauren Hemp’s cross in front of goal but her header went wide.
After Austria’s Verena Hanshaw scuffed an effort into the stand at the other end and White headed another attempt wide, Hemp was then denied by a fine Zinsberger save as her shot was diverted over the bar.
The opening stages of the second half saw a Fran Kirby strike gathered by Zinsberger and Georgia Stanway fire wide, either side of Katharina Naschenweng miscuing a shot at England’s goal.
Alessia Russo failed to make proper contact as she tried to shoot following a Hemp freekick into the box, and Chloe Kelly advanced from the halfway line and struck wide.
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Mary Earps then dived to her left to push away a shot from Austrian Barbara Dunst in the 78th minute, and made another save to deal with an effort from Julia Hickelsberger-Fuller as England saw out the victory.
The win was in front of 68,871 fans – a record attendance for a Women’s Euros match – as England top Group A ahead of Norway v Northern Ireland on Thursday evening at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
