- England launches their home tournament at the Women’s EURO 2022 with a narrow 1-0 win over courageously fighting Austrians.
- Beth Mead scored the golden goal after a good quarter of an hour, but you can only celebrate after the goal-line technology has been used.
- The Group A game takes place in front of atmospheric stands at Old Trafford in Manchester. Another 30 matches will follow until the final day on July 31st.
Austria went away empty-handed in the opening game of the 13th Women’s European Championship – and nonetheless earned top marks. For the fact that the semi-finalists of the last continental finals in 2017 surprisingly stood up to the hosts England and were able to keep the tension up to the end.
A 1-0 mini-victory for the “Three Lionesses” ultimately corresponded to the script, but not to the high standards that the home team has. Coach Sarina Wiegman’s eleven were still too nervous in the “Theatre of Dreams” in front of the impressive record crowd of 68,871 fans at the start of the mission “Winning the title at the home tournament”.
Early goal makes the difference
Six days after the successful main rehearsal in the 4-0 win over the Swiss national team in Zurich, the English team had to bite a lot more against tactically exemplary opponents in Manchester. The Austria team went into the game with a clear plan and were able to neutralize the locals over long stretches.
At the same time, the Wiegman team missed the consistency of their last performances and revealed room for improvement. An early hit should then steer the game in the desired direction. Arsenal striker Beth Mead put the lead in the 16th minute. She took a strong cross with her chest and overpowered goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
Carina Wenninger tried to sped the ball away, but did so wafer-thin behind the goal line. Only after anxious moments did goal-line technology confirm it was 1-0.
The wages remain
With the break whistle, Zinsberger prevented the 0:2 in the Austria goal with a spectacular save. It was the scene that encouraged her valiantly fighting teammates to continue.
But the outsider didn’t get more than two good chances – and just a pat on the back. Meanwhile, England’s tough start at the tournament means salvation and will provide the team with important insights.
This is how it goes
Group A also includes Norway and Northern Ireland, who will face each other on Thursday (from 8:10 p.m. live on SRF Zwei).
The Swiss in Pool C will then be challenged for the first time against Portugal on Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m.