England have became the first team ever to beat Austria in regular time in a Women’s European Championship game.
A first-half goal from Beth Mead saw Euro 2022 hosts England begin this year’s tournament with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The official attendance at Manchester United’s stadium was 68,871, which set a new record for a Women’s Euros game.
Euro 2022 is only the second Women’s Euros that Austria have competed at.
At Euro 2017, they won two of their five games and drew the other three, including a 0-0 stalemate against Denmark in the semi-final where they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
A record was set for the largest attendance at a Women’s European Championship match as 68,871 fans watched England vs Austria at Old Trafford 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DU7FMhph3T
— GOAL News (@GoalNews) July 6, 2022
But they fell behind after 16 minutes on Wednesday when Mead scored the first goal of Euro 2022.
Arsenal forward Mead lobbed Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, who also plays for the Gunners at club level, after controlling a Fran Kirby pass with her chest.
Mead’s lofted shot was cleared by Austria Carina Wenninger but only after the ball had marginally crossed the goal-line.
The referee swiftly awarded the goal after automated goal-line technology said that the ball had fully crossed the line.
A solid display in the opening game 💪#Lionesses | @GoogleCloud_UKI pic.twitter.com/TYIJc7qjvV
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 6, 2022
But the game’s restart was then delayed as a VAR review double-checked the decision before backing up the original call.
Si.com
