Arsenal star Beth Mead scores as England defeat Austria to kick-off Euros

England got their Women’s Euro 2022 campaign off to a winning start, downing Austria 1-0 in front of a packed-out Old Trafford.

The Lionesses kicked the competition off on home soil in the right way. Several Arsenal Women stars featured, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, and Manuela Zinsberger, all played a part on the opening night.

Williamson had the captain’s armband and started in the heart of the defence, partnering Millie Bright. Mead was on the right side of the Lionesses’ attack, with Lauren Hemp on the other flank and Ellen White through the middle. Gunner Lotte Wubben-Moy was named on the bench.

Arsenal star Beth Mead opens the scoring

Sirena Weigman’s team started reasonably well and took the lead just 16 minutes in. After a great run by Georgia Stanaway, the ball found its way to Mead, who took an excellent first touch and delightfully lofted the ball over the onrushing Zinsberger to open the scoring.

There was some hesitancy over whether the goal would stand by after a couple of seconds, but goalline technology confirmed that the ball had crossed over the goal line.

Mead’s delightful chip was her 23rd goal in just 43 appearances as the Arsenal ace put her nation ahead on home soil.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure after going ahead, with White nearly doubling the lead, but her header flew just wide.

The visitors had a chance just before half-time to level matters, but unfortunately for Verena Hanshaw, she fired over from a difficult angle.

The Lionesses almost doubled their lead sonn after as Fran Kirby found Hemp alone in the box, but thanks to Gunners keeper Linsberger, who closed the gap on Hemp, she managed to get something in the way to divert the danger and to keep the score at 1-0 heading into the break.

Austria started the better of the two sides after the break as they needed to get back into the game. The longer the half went, the more influence Austria had on the game, pushing England back numerous times.

Katharina Naschenweng had a powerful shot on goal just nine minutes after the restart for Austria, but she fired wide of the mark.

England then had a chance to double their lead. After substitute, Chloe Kelly picked up the ball inside her own half and drove all the way to the edge of the Austria penalty area before letting fly with her shot, but it flew just wide of the mark.

Austria kept the pressure on but could not find a breakthrough as England got its WEuro campaign off to a winning start in front of over 68,000 fans at Old Trafford.