England aim to launch women’s Euro 2022 in style
Euro 2022 finally gets underway this evening as hosts England take on Austria at Old Trafford in front of an expected capacity crowd of more than 70,000 fans.
The Lionesses are hoping three points will lay down an early marker in Group A, which features Norway and Northern Ireland as well as tonight’s opponents.
Austria are ranked 21st in Fifa’s world rankings and come into the fixture in good form after an impressive 1-0 victory over Belgium in their final warm-up match last week.
There is legitimate belief that England could finally win their first-ever major women’s football tournament this summer, especially with home advantage. Sarina Wiegman’s side won all three of their warm-up games and enter the tournament as second-favourites behind Spain.
Follow all the action from the opening match of Euro 2022 with our live blog below:
England 1-0 Austria
48 mins: It’s been a nervous start from England. Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway get into a bit of a tangle in the middle of the pitch with the visitors coming away with the ball.
It’s sent up to the left side of the box for Katharina Naschenweng who is tracked by Millie Bright. Naschenweng lifts a cross over to Nicole Billa but the forward can’t turn the ball towards goal.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 21:09
Second half: England 1-0 Austria
Kick off: England restart the match and send an aerial ball down the middle of the midfield. It’s contested and the Austrian’s come away with possession.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 21:05
England 1-0 Austria
A goal-line technology replay of Beth Mead’s opener.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:58
Half-time: England 1-0 Austria
45+1 mins: England lead at Old Trafford against Austria in the Euro 2022 opener.
Beth Mead needed the help of the goalline technology to ensure that her goal stood but since then the Lionesses have been wasteful in front of goal.
Sarina Wiegman won’t be happy just yet. She’ll want another couple of goals to feel secure in the game.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:50
England 1-0 Austria
45 mins: Save! Ellen White recovers the ball high up the pitch and knocks it into the box for Fran Kirby. Kirby squares it across to Hemp who takes a touch then hits one with her left foot only for Manuela Zinsberger to charge her down and block the ball over the crossbar!
One added minute to play.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:49
England 1-0 Austria
43 mins: Chance! Austria flick the ball over to the right side of the box and chip it into the six yard area where Millie Bright leaps in front of Katherina Naschenweng to nod it away.
It drops for the arriving Verena Hanshaw but she has no time to control the ball and lifts her first time effort over the crossbar.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:46
England 1-0 Austria
40 mins: England are comfortable as they approach half-time. There’s a drop in intensity as England focus on possession play, an attack down the right fails to come off and the ball is deflected out for an Austrian goal kick.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:44
England 1-0 Austria
37 mins: Sarina Wiegman is all about ruthlessness in front of goal. England have created more than a few chances to score now and the boss will be a little irked that they’ve only taken one.
Under her charge the Lionesses have tended to come alive in the second half of matches after they’ve made some substitutions.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:41
England 1-0 Austria
34 mins: Bronze crosses the ball from the right and finds Kirby hovering on the edge of the box. Kirby brings it under control and slides it through the Austrian defence back to Bronze arriving from the wing.
She needs to shoot here but instead tries to find White and her pass gets intercepted.
Michael Jones6 July 2022 20:38
