MY ACCOUNT
Hosts England opened their European Championship campaign with a 1-0 win over Austria in front of a record crowd at Old Trafford.
Beth Mead scored the game’s only goal in the 16th minute with a cushioned lob over goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger that just about crossed the line.
A record European Championship attendance of 68,871 witnessed the Lionesses hand Austria their first defeat at the tournament in regular time.
LiveScore picks out five key talking points from the Lionesses winning start to Euro 2022.
Marvellous Mead
England manager Sarina Wiegman can hardly have any complaints about Mead’s contribution to the cause since her appointment.
The Arsenal forward has scored 15 goals in as many outings for her country since the beginning of last year — a feat no other England player can match.
Her precision and reliability in front of goal proved decisive tonight and England will need Mead to continue her hot streak if they are to go all the way and win the tournament.
Where to play Williamson?
An issue Wiegman has wrestled with in the build-up to Euro 2022 is what to do with her captain, Leah Williamson.
Wearing the No8 shirt, it was clear Wiegman had intended to play the Arsenal defender in midfield before dropping her into the backline for England’s final warm-up game against Switzerland.
The versatile Lionesses skipper is capable of playing both in central midfield and central defence and her manager chose to deploy her in the latter position on this occasion.
Williamson’s absence was notable in midfield, where England lacked a little control and assertion with their attacking trio that included both Georgia Stanway and Fran Kirby alongside Keira Walsh.
Given the strength of Millie Bright’s partnership with natural left-sided centre-back Alex Greenwood, perhaps the Lionesses would be stronger returning to that pairing and moving their captain back into the centre of the park.
Bright shines
Despite the chopping and changing of her centre-back partner, Bright remains an unflappable presence at the heart of the defence.
Her calm defensive nous was needed on a handful of occasions to stop Austria’s approach play in its tracks, while her aerial ability was called upon as the visitors sent numerous crosses into the box.
Particularly if Williamson continues alongside her, Bright offers a more traditional centre-back profile than her more technically adept captain and complements her well.
Bronze the outlet
Lucy Bronze returned to the starting line-up after missing England’s final warm-up game with illness — and she was a welcome presence in the side.
Not only is her experience invaluable, but the full-back’s energetic and penetrative running down the flank provided the Lionesses with a consistent outlet out wide.
Her movement presented her team-mates with options and unsettled Austria’s off-the-ball shape — her importance to the team was subtly underlined in this match.
Energetic substitutes
One of England’s great strengths coming into this tournament is their strength in depth and Wiegman made good use of it against Austria, making a triple change on the hour mark.
Ellen White, Kirby and Mead were replaced by Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly.
The trio injected fresh energy and enthusiasm into the game and Russo was on the end of a glorious opportunity which she will feel she should have scored to put the game to bed.
England’s capacity to bring quality on against tired legs will be an important weapon in their arsenal at Euro 2022.
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