Thrilling Victory! Lionesses Battle Through World Cup Opener Against Haiti – What Changes Are Needed?

We' reporters and writers dissect England's World Cup opener against Haiti, as Georgia Stanway's penalty earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory...

Hardly vintage England

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England found it challenging to keep up with Haiti's speed during transitions. Thankfully, tournament play prioritizes outcomes, as England's performance would have earned them only a meager score. Despite this, they managed to secure three points.

The second half showed significant improvement after a particularly subpar first period. Sarina Wiegman's well-known notepad and pencil were in constant use on the sidelines, unlike England's smoothness on the field. The midfield had too many gaps, there were some vulnerabilities in the defense, and they were frequently caught off guard during transitions.

Of particular concern was the frequency of defensive mistakes. This lineup is relatively new, with only Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze remaining from England's Euros squad, so it is evident they need time to develop chemistry. Haiti managed to exploit the spaces left unattended by England's players, which was a cause for worry.

Russo deserves nod up top

Nonetheless, the most crucial aspect is a victorious beginning. The Lionesses flourished during the previous summer's Euros, and they will adopt a comparable approach in this competition. Building momentum requires time. After all, Wiegman consistently remains in command, and who would dare question the masterplan of the Dutchwoman? Laura Hunter

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England's Alessia Russo, who was challenged by Haiti's Sherly Jeudy, has demonstrated her value on the field. In order for England to score from open play, which they haven't done in 337 minutes without a set-piece goal, Russo will play a vital role. While her ability to score is not the sole reason why she is preferred by Wiegman over Rachel Daly, she possesses all the necessary qualities to make a significant contribution in this tournament.

She impresses with her ability to connect plays. She has the skill to drop deep, exploit pockets of space, distract defenders, and generate opportunities, which is why she is highly regarded. On a different day, her quick turn and shot in the 59th minute would have found the bottom right corner. It certainly kept goalkeeper Kerly Theus on high alert.

England has powerful assets on the wings - Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp propel the ball forward with a clear objective and require a central target. Russo aspires to fulfill that role.

Daly joined the action during the last minutes and encountered a few chances to head the ball, but unfortunately, couldn't truly challenge Theus. In order to revitalize things, it might be worth considering Lauren James as a potential option at No 10 to support Russo's delivery. Laura Hunter

Should James start?

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England's Lauren James demonstrates her skill while traveling with the ball. The ongoing excitement and demand for James persists before the tournament. Making her appearance by substituting Hemp in the 61st minute, the Chelsea winger left a lasting impact. England's ball speed noticeably increased.

"We must improve our possession game by increasing its pace," Wiegman concluded after the match. James provides energy and a sense of urgency. She possesses superior ball-carrying skills compared to others and possesses the cunning to outsmart defenders, evading challenges and creating opportunities.

England displayed a hint of predictability against Haiti, lacking sufficient variation in their gameplay. James brings a fresh dynamic and has the versatility to occupy the central position or venture out to the wider areas.

Dumornay: A star is born

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Haiti's Melchie Dumornay, right, gets away from Jess Carter

Melchie Dumornay has starred at a World Cup before.

At only 14 years old, she was selected as part of Haiti's U20 World Cup team and now, at the age of 19, she is showcasing her skills at the senior level on a global platform. Despite Haiti's loss against England, Dumornay proved herself as the standout player on the field. It was unfortunate for her Caribbean nation that she couldn't convert the clever opportunities she created, with Haiti missing out on three chances.

Her teammates failed to match her skill level and understanding on the field, though it seems that not many players in this tournament are able to do so based on her stellar performance.

Showing remarkable agility with the ball and causing havoc for the English team in one-on-one encounters, she demonstrated her exceptional ability to maintain possession. With an impressive record of 18 goals and 11 assists for Reims this season, her talent has earned her a move to the eight-time European champions, Lyon. Based on her performance in this match, it is evident that she is truly exceptional.

Buy Earps merch

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England's goalkeeper Mary Earps, left, and England's Keira Walsh show appreciation to travelling fans

Mary Earps might be disappointed that her shirt is not available in stores, but I am ready to purchase anything she is selling following her outstanding performance. The award-winning Best FIFA Goalkeeper demonstrated her worthiness of the trophy through her exceptional display, leading her team to victory.

Earps's concentration, agility, and clutch performances prevented England from settling for a lackluster draw. The Lionesses will be optimistic that they won't heavily rely on their top goalkeeper when facing Pernille Harder's Denmark in six days.

Keira is La Reina

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Kiera Walsh acted as England's saviour out of possession

Watch the tape, England needed Keira Walsh.

The midfielder bailed England out on various occasions as Haiti threatened on the break.

The Barcelona midfielder appeared frustrated by the excessive workload placed on her, as her teammates struggled to handle the opposing players. To improve, England must increase their pace and decisiveness, necessitating offensive contributions from Walsh as well.