England 1-0 Haiti: Lionesses scrape past minnows after penalty let-off as they get World Cup off to winning start

GEORGIA STANWAY came to the rescue as Haiti harried rusty England in their dramatic Group D opener at the World Cup.  

In a duel fuelled by VAR drama Stanway's spot-stick spared her side’s blushes with the tournament debutants giving them a run for their money. 

England’s Georgia Stanway celebrates after breaking the deadlock. Credit: PA

Haiti goalie Kerly Theus brilliantly saved her first penalty effort. Credit: Getty

The England star made no mistake with her second attempt after she was saved by VAR. Credit: PA

That was enough to seal the points for the Lionesses. Credit: Reuters

Before the game Sarina Wiegman  described Haiti as transitional and unpredictable. 
And they certainly were that, refusing to be overawed by the Euros champs in front of a 44,389 partisan crowd at Brisbane Stadium.
Playmaker Melchie Dumornay, who is set to join French giants Lyon, was a thorn in the Lionesses side.
England would have been hoping to make short work of their opponents who are one of the lowest-ranked teams at this year’s contest and the 53rd best in the world. 

But Dumornay and shot-stopper Kerly Theus - one of the shortest goalkeepers at this year’s tournament, had other ideas.
The Lionesses’ opponents flew out of the traps causing a fright in the second minute. 
Skipper Millie Bright, looking a little rusty in her first game since the end of March gave the ball away with Dumornay pouncing before Jess Carter cleared the danger. 
At the other end,Chloe Kelly blasted an effort straight into the palms of Theus in the fourth minute before Roselord Borgella dragged a shot wide soon after.  

VAR came into play for the first time for England at the tournament after Amandine Pierre-Louis raked her studs down Kelly’s shin in the penalty box with 16 minutes gone. 
But Wiegman’s side were denied a spot-tick after Alessia Russo was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box seconds before.
Later on there was a moment where Theus was going to ruin England’s evening.
Her stunning save of Stanway’s 28th minute spot-kick drew gasps from the crowd at Brisbane Stadium as she guessed right to parry the ball away. 

However a VAR check came into play again with a replay showing the keeper well off her line.
And Stanway made no mistake smashing the spot-kick home netting her eighth penalty for the Lionesses. 
Haiti came close to grabbing a leveller close to half time with Bourgella’s glanced header dropping wide.
And Dumornay stung the palms of Mary Earps early in the second spell before Lauren Hemp was cautioned for a foul on the player 

Russo saw two decent efforts saved by Theus, including one with the keeper leaping high to tip the ball over.
The introduction of Lauren James and Rachel Daly gave England more impetus in attack following Ella Toone having a quiet game. 
And Earps pulled off a stunning late stop to deny Roseline Eloissaint and save the win for England.
A clash with Denmark in Sydney is up next for Wiegman's side who are currently second in Group D.

England are next in action on Friday against Denmark: Getty Images

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Nicholas Baidoo

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