England boss Sarina Wiegman hails ‘incredible’ atmosphere as Lionesses win Euro 2022 opener
- Seb Sternik
- 7 July 2022
England kicked off their Euro 2022 campaign on a winning note as Beth Mead’s first-half goal helped the Lionesses to a 1-0 victory over Austria.
A competition-record crowd of 68,871 watched the action unfold at Old Trafford as Sarina Wiegman's side held on to take all three points.
"It's a good win, and this start is so important," said the England boss. "It gives such a boost to the team and the crowd.
"We had some very good moments in the game, we created a lot of chances and we should have scored a little more. But we had also some hard moments in the game and got through, so that's really good I think."
England dominated proceedings with almost 60% possession and 16 goal attempts. Austria, though, improved in the second-half and forced Mary Earps to make two late saves.
Wiegman added: "I think we were a little rushed in the final third. We created a lot of chances but the final touch, or the choice on the ball to shoot or cross or take them on, we can do that better. But the most important thing was we scored one, and that we have three points.
Moment of the Day couldn't have been anything else...
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"I think we lost the ball too quick (in the second half), and then you come in transitions all the time, and that's really tiring.
"And of course, they wanted to push for a goal. Then you really have to keep the ball, and then you can control, and we didn't do that well enough. But I do think in the last minutes we were very calm, and kept the ball longer, and that was very mature."
Regarding the atmosphere created by the record crowd in Manchester, Wiegman said: "It was incredible. No more words - it is just unbelievable. Playing here at Old Trafford, 70,000 people making lots of noise, standing behind us, that is really incredible.
"I hope they keep coming and they will because we've sold out stadiums."
England continue their group campaign next Monday when they take on Norway at the Amex Stadium, before facing Northern Ireland at St Mary's four days later.
