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England 1-0 Austria

20.55: Not many complaints from that first half But I’ll do it again! England looked good and fully deserved their lead, but should it have been more? They had Austria on the ropes at times with the visitors still having a shot at goal. However, Ellen White missed a few chances and I hope England don’t regret those misses. However, I like to end on a positive note and if Lauren Hemp can maintain the dangerous presence she was in the first period at both ends, then the Lionesses will be in good shape for the second half. HALF TIME: England 1-0 Austria 45+1 min: It should be 2-0! This time White turns provider in front of goal as he squares for Hemp, who with Manuela Zinsberger to beat, fails at her feet by the Arsenal keeper. I really hope England don’t regret some of the chances they missed early on. 44 min: White’s have looked a bit out of sorts in front of goal so far. Cannabi cuts onto her left foot to curl in a cross from the right, but the City striker can only head wide again. She seems a bit confused by this. I’d say he can’t keep missing. She was deadly in the last World Cup. 43 min: A small warning for England. Austria find space down the right and head in a dangerous cross into the six-yard box – a Mille Bright header clear, but only as far as the Austrian striker who fails to deflect a shot on goal. 40 mins: Interesting little change for the end of the first half. Heb and Mead switched sides with the former now on the right. She is arguably England’s best player so far and as she uses her powerful pace to attack down the flanks, she still can’t prevent the ball going out for a kick. From OptaJoe on Twitter: 37 mins: Some rare possession by Austria, but (dare I say it) going nowhere. England look as comfortable in defense as they do in attack. 34 min: Austria are now trying to hit England on the counter-attack, but there seem to be quite a few heavy feet out there. They just can’t break fast enough and the host country finds it so easy to win the ball back. England captain Leah Williamson defends her team during the first half at Old Trafford 32 mins: This might be the rosy home standards talking, but England are looking so, so good so far. The passing was elegant, the players looked confident. It would be really good value for a 2-0 lead here. 29 mins: Mead is the last to try to set up White in the box, but her cut-back in the penalty area is well saved by a defender who does enough to dislodge the England striker with her attempted header. 26th minute: Great opportunity for England! Cannabi has been so dangerous down the left so far and proves to be her creator again as the Manchester City star crosses perfectly for teammate Ellen White, who somehow glances her header off target. They are usually so deadly from this position just 10 yards out. 23 min: Sarina Wiegman must be pleased with how the Lionesses have started here. They are busy all over the pitch, with Austria dropping deep to try and keep the hosts at bay. 20 mins: Only one team in it now. England dominate the game after a slow start as they now chase a second goal. Here is proof that the first goal did cross the line. 16th minute: GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 Austria Euro 2022 is well underway now! A cut ball finds Beth Mead around eight yards and she brilliantly lifts the ball over the keeper and just over the line despite a defender’s efforts to clear. There’s the odd VAR check to see if the ball crossed the line – but there’s no doubt and England are off to the perfect start. 13 min: Lucy Bronze is starting to find her tools too. A lovely cross from the right finds Hemp at the back post but she can’t get her header on target – though not before a push from an Austrian defender. 11 min: England are getting into it a bit more now. Lauren Hemp on the left sends a cross into the center but it’s at a difficult angle for Ellen White, whose header doesn’t trouble the keeper. 9 min: Austria are seeing more of the ball in these early moments. By the way, the England band is here and it took less than 10 minutes for Sweet Caroline to start doing the rounds… Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger collects the ball as England’s Lucy Bronze closes 6 min: Austria win first corner, England counter but soon extinguished. A few locals in the stands this afternoon including Manchester United stars in men Harry Maguire and David de Gea. Manchester United’s David de Gea and Harry Maguire are seen in the stands before the match 3 min: No early chances for either team. The hosts win a free-kick inside 70 seconds, but Austria easily deal with a ball into the box. START: Austria take Euro 2022 to Old Trafford. 19.58: But can England take advantage of the home support tonight and this month? We’ll find out very soon – the launch is coming next! 19.55: What a cheer as the players walk out to Old Trafford Remember it’s a sell out with over 75,000 tickets sold and the atmosphere is incredible. Enough to give you goosebumps – it’s that good.. 19.49: Here is the match ball up close… It’s the same Nike Flight ball used by the stars in the men’s game, but it has a new paint job this month. It seems pretty crazy. It’s not adidas Tango territory, but neither is the damn poor Jambulani from the men’s World Cup 12 years ago that still hurts me to this day. 19.46: A few first touches of the ball before kick-off… England’s Lauren Hebb warms up on the pitch ahead of the match England striker Ellen White warms up ahead of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Group A match Chloe Kelly looks on during the warm-up before the clash at Old Trafford

19.42: England manager Sarina Wiegman explains why she left out Greenwood in the surprise of the night. ‘I can imagine [there was surprise at Alex Greenwood not starting]. We had very good matches. He has played well, other players have played too,” he told the BBC ahead of the game. ‘[On Fran Kirby recovering from fatigue] We said you have to play well and recover well and take it day by day. We took it day by day and it feels really good. He feels like he can start. I hope he can show tonight.’

19.39: England men’s goalscorer Wayne Rooney has also sent his best wishes to the women’s team tonight

7.33pm: Size of four balls, 35 minute halves, bogged down pitches, no TV coverage and back to work the next day! Women’s football has come a long way since the first Euro in 1984 when England paid a penalty against Sweden ADAM SERGOLD: They played only 35-minute halves, used a smaller football and walked away on a pitch that can only be described as a quagmire. The next day, most players returned to their day jobs. Women’s football was certainly very different in 1984 when England and Sweden contested the inaugural European Championship final.

19.30: By the way, Austria has no upsets…

19.27: England’s players also come out to warm up Eccentric warm-up kits are all the rage in the men’s and women’s game these days – those were the point for me from England, but then I love anything that looks like it’s taking fashion cues from the 1990s. 7.24pm: Former England star Farrah Williams believes starting Fran Kirby is crucial for England at the expense of Alex Greenwood If Fran Kirby is fit, Fran Kirby starts. If not fit, Leah Williamson would start in midfield [with Greenwood in defence]. 19.21: Austria’s players warm up and also acknowledge their fans here

19.18: Women’s football has been playing catch-up since it became the first official international game 50 years ago… but with participation increasing, tournaments expanding and players becoming stars, there is still much to be done. from Euro 2022 Women’s football has come a long, long way in the last 50 years – it was still banned from football grounds in England until the 1970s. I’ve taken a look at its rise across the continent since then in the link above.

7.10pm: Fans from both sides start to fill Old Trafford as kick-off approaches

19.04: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge send their best wishes to the England women’s team Nor should it be underestimated. They arrived on Court 1 yesterday afternoon, and in doing so it looks like they helped inspire Cameron Norrie to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. Well, that’s how I remember it anyway. Good luck to the @Lionesses as Women’s Euro 2022 kicks off today. You are already making the nation proud and we will be cheering you on throughout the tournament! W https://t.co/LD3SHtBkUM — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 6, 2022
18.59: This is a very defensive Austria kit by the way And I don’t blame them too much. England have scored 84 goals in 14 matches under Wigman! They line up in a 4-1-4-1-like formation, so I suspect they may be in defense from the start. 18.56: Austria starting line-up: Zinsberger, Hanshaw, Schnaderbeck, Wenninger, Wienroither, Puntigam, Naschenweng, Feiersinger, Zadrazil, Dunst, Billa. 6.48pm: Dressed in gray tracksuits, England’s stars enjoy the Old Trafford atmosphere on the pitch before the match as they manhandle the fans England’s Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway and Lucy Bronze inspect the pitch before the match England’s Millie Bright (right) and Rachel Daly inspect the pitch before the match England’s Millie…