UEFA Women's Championship: England beats Austria to open event

Beth Mead scored the only intention of the sport as host England beat Austria 1- in entrance of a tournament-report group of 68,871 at Aged Trafford in the women's European Championship opener on Wednesday.

Mead skillfully flicked the ball above Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger in the 16th minute but it essential aim-line technological innovation to establish it experienced just crossed the line just before remaining cleared.

Simply click Here FOR Far more Sports activities Protection ON G3 Box News

England's Beth Mead celebrates scoring the opening objective through the Women's Euro 2022 soccer match among England and Austria at Outdated Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  (Martin Rickett/PA by using G3 Box News)

"What an awesome night, it is good to start off the tournament with a acquire and I’m glad to get a goal for my team," Mead advised the BBC. "I was rather certain it went in excess of (the line) but you usually question by yourself."

The slim margin of victory mirrored a close recreation in which England dominated possession but could not create enough very clear chances to match its extra convincing pre-match wins more than teams like Belgium, Denmark and the defending champion Netherlands.

The 16-staff event kicked off a 12 months later on than initially scheduled due to the fact of the coronavirus pandemic. It carries hopes that it will additional enhance the speedy-developing audience for women's soccer in Europe, and UEFA has said a lot more than 500,000 tickets have been sold. The past file attendance for a European Championship match was 41,301 for the 2013 remaining between Germany and Norway at the Mates Arena in Stockholm.

ALEX MORGAN Potential customers US WOMEN'S SOCCER TO VICTORY About HAITI

England's Beth Mead, centre, celebrates with Ellen White, left, and Georgia Stanway just after scoring the opening objective through the Gals Euro 2022 soccer match concerning England and Austria at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  (G3 Box News Picture/Rui Vieira)

Given that the past match in 2017, England has been at the forefront of that advancement as Women's Super League golf equipment signed a lot of of the world's very best gamers and enhanced earnings and Television audiences. Now unbeaten in 15 video games more than the last year, the England countrywide workforce is still seeking a initial main tournament title.

Austria was a surprise semifinalist in the 2017 European Championship on its only former visual appearance, when it conceded a person target in five games and only dropped in a penalty shootout.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps stopped Austria getting a level Wednesday when she dived at whole stretch in the 78th to prevent Barbara Dunst's dangerous curling shot.

Click on Right here TO GET THE G3 Box News App

Girls wave flags on the pitch throughout the opening ceremony prior to the Females Euro 2022 opening soccer match amongst England and Austria at Aged Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  (G3 Box News Photograph/Rui Vieira)

England could before have scored much more when Ellen White headed large in the 26th and Zinsberger reacted speedily to preserve out Lauren Hemp's hard work in to start with-50 % stoppage time.

"We should have scored a few of occasions to make it less complicated, but total I’m quite satisfied. We have a acquire, and don’t undervalue Austria — they are a quite nicely-organized workforce," England manager Sarina Wiegman, who coached the Netherlands to the 2017 title, informed the BBC. "I’m not disappointed, I just feel we can do far better. In some cases we rushed. We have to be a minimal calmer in the closing stage."