MANCHESTER: England got their quest for Euro 2022 glory off to a winning start as Beth Mead’s goal earned a 1-0 victory over Austria in front of a record crowd of 69,000 at Old Trafford.
The attendance smashed the previous best for a match at the women’s European Championship by nearly 30,000.
And the vast majority inside the Theatre of Dreams got what they wanted to see in an England victory even if Sarina Wiegman’s women failed to hit top gear against a side ranked 21st in the world.
Home advantage is just one of the reasons why England are considered among the favourites to win their first ever major tournament in the women’s game.
Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to victory at Euro 2017, is now unbeaten in 15 games since taking charge in September.
The weight of expectation appeared to be weighing heavy on the hosts in a nervous start.
However, they kicked the tournament into life in style on 16 minutes when Fran Kirby’s lofted pass picked out Mead and the Arsenal forward calmly lifted the ball over her club teammate Manuela Zinsberger.
Carina Wenninger made a desperate attempt to clear but the ball had just crossed the line before her she intervened.
England then settled into the rhythm that has seen them scores 85 goals and concede just three in the Wiegman era.
Ellen White should have added to her record 50 international goals for England when the Manchester City striker header wide a tempting delivery from Lauren Hemp.
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Zinsberger then showed why she is one the best goalkeepers in the world with a vital stop to turn Hemp’s effort over in first half stoppage time.
England’s strength in depth shone through in comprehensive pre-tournament friendly wins over Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Yet, this time at triple change from Wiegman on the hour mark to introduce the younger legs of Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo made little impact.
Instead, just as when the sides met in World Cup qualifying in November, England had to settle for a slender margin of victory as Austria stood firm and could have even snatched a shock point.
Mary Earps was forced to turn Barbara Dunst’s curling effort from outside the box behind before making a more routine save from Julia Hickelsberger-Fuller as England held out.
England face Norway next in Brighton on Monday in what is expected to be their toughest test of the group stages.
Austria take on tournament debutants Northern Ireland on the same day in Southampton.
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