France and Netherlands in action after Lionesses defeat Haiti

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France kick off their Women’s World Cup campaign against Jamaica as the group stages continue in Australia and New Zealand.

Les Bleues come into the tournament under new coach Herve Renard after Corrine Diacre’s controversial reign was brought to an end just four months before the tournament. France’s deep squad of talent will be put to the test after being hit by injuries before the World Cup, with the likes of Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino ruled out.

The Netherlands, runners-up four year ago under Sarina Wiegman, take on World Cup debutants Portugal in Group E. The Dutch were defeated by the United States in the 2019 final, and will face the defending champions later in the group stage. The USA began their defence with a 3-0 win against Vietnam on Saturday.

Elsewhere, England opened their Women’s World Cup campaign with a win but the Lionesses were pushed all the way by Haiti in what was a close contest in Brisbane. Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty in the first half was enough to earn England a narrow victory, but goalkeeper Mary Earps had to make a big stop to protect their lead late on.

Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog

Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest updates

The Women’s World Cup continues in Australia and New Zealand
England survive Women’s World Cup scare — but Haiti highlight problems for Lionesses to solve
Netherlands taking on Portugal in Group E
France face Jamaica in Group F from 11am BST
Sweden edge past South Africa 2-1 thanks to Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th-minute winner

Cutting edge missing for unconvincing England, admits boss Sarina Wiegman

08:59 , Luke Baker

England boss Sarina Wiegman felt her European champions lacked “ruthlessness” after they eked out a 1-0 victory over debutants Haiti to open their World Cup campaign at Brisbane Stadium.

Georgia Stanway’s retaken first-half penalty was ultimately enough to win her side all three points, but did little to ease concerns about the Lionesses’ attacking form after they failed to find the back of the net in their previous three encounters.

Were it not for a late second-half save from FIFA women’s goalkeeper of the year Mary Earps to deny substitute Roseline Eloissaint, the fourth-ranked Lionesses could well have ended their evening with a draw against their underdog Group D opponents, who sit 49 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

Sarina Wiegman admits unconvincing England lacked cutting edge in World Cup opener

England survive Women’s World Cup scare — but Haiti highlight problems for Lionesses to solve

08:58 , Luke Baker

England have a precious first win in this World Cup but that very description is why they did not look like eventual winners of the tournament itself.

That isn’t to say it will remain like this, but Sarina Wiegman has a lot of problems to solve, and a lot of work to do. Haiti at least more than set the tone for the latter. In something that has already developed into a bit of a pattern in these first few games, the supposed minnow deserved more than the 1-0 defeat they suffered through Georgia Stanway’s mercifully re-ordered penalty.

Haiti’s brilliant young star, Melchie Dumornay, may well end up deserving a series of individual awards. She was by far the player of the match here, running the game. Haiti often gave England a run-around. The entire result ended up depending on Mary Earps standing her ground in a crucial final chance for Haiti.