“What an amazing night” – Player ratings as record crowd watch England beat Austria to open Euro 2022
England opened their home tournament Euro 2022 with a solid 1-0 win over Austria.
The Lionesses picked up a big win in front of a record-breaking crowd (at 68,871, this was the biggest-ever attendance at a Women’s European Championships), with manager Sarina Wiegman keeping up her 100% win record at the Euros. They weren’t at their best but the potential for growth as the tournament goes on is very clear.
Here’s how the players rated at Old Trafford:
England
Mary Earps – 7 – Wasn’t called upon much but did well when she was.
Lucy Bronze – 8 – A mesmeric display by one of England’s very best players. Bronze constantly drove England forward, often being the starting point for their attacks.
Millie Bright – 8 – Simply superb, constantly finding Austria’s crosses into the box and clearing them. There was nothing the Austrians could do that Millie Bright could not find an answer to.
Leah Williamson – 7 – A calm and solid display, especially building from the back, but obviously not as dominant as Bright.
Rachel Daly – 6 – Got up and down the pitch well enough but no impact with the ball.
Keira Walsh – 7 – Quietly went about her business, sweeping up in front of her defence and making sure that the no pressure came through the middle of the pitch and drove the ball forward superbly.
Form: WWWWWWDDWWWWWWW
Goals scored: 85
Goals conceded: 3Sarina Weigman's #Lionesses roar on. 💪#WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/Tsu9gQywsx
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 6, 2022
Georgia Stanway – 7 – Very lively in the first-half as he constantly tried to make things happen.
Beth Mead – 7 – Scored the only goal of the game was a wonderful run and a simply sublime little chipped finish that just crept in. Looked sharp after that but didn’t offer that much incision.
“It’s so loud we couldn’t hear [her]” said Mead after the match, when asked what Sarina Wiegman was saying to them in their post-match huddle. And the atmosphere was truly electric as Mead delivered a big win. “Beyond words,” Mead said, “what an amazing night.”
Fran Kirby – 8 – Sensatonal display from Fran Kirby. The Chelsea playmaker was at the heart of everything good England did, including a frankly ridiculous assist to Mead for the game-winner. England need to keep her wrapped in cotton wool.
Lauren Hemp – 6 – Her committment was admirable, but she was shut out of the game by Wienroither.
Ellen White – 5 – Disappointing in the end. Really couldn’t provide the cutting edge that England sorely lacked.
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England Substitutes:
Ella Toone (for Kirby 64′) – 6 – Really got stuck into things and seemed determined to get the second strike for England.
Alessia Russo (for White 64′) – 6 – Full of intent, and posed Austria different problems to Ellen White but they still had the answers.
Chloe Kelly (for Mead 64′) – 6 – Immediately got in on the action with a booming cross and drove it forward. On England’s display, Kelly said “the best is yet to come,” which must be ominous for England’s opponents.
Austria
Manuela Zinsberger – 7 – Made some big, big saves when she had to. Could do nothing about England’s goal but certainly kept the score down to 1-0.
Laura Wienroither – 8 – Monstered Lauren Hemp and prevented the City winger from wreaking havoc on Austria. A simply superb display from the full-back. Did not deserve to lose.
Carina Wenniger – 7 – Defended well, helped to keep White under control but struggled more with Russo.
Vikki Schnaderbeck – 8 – Did really well to keep a lid on Ellen White in the first-half. Lost her a few times but by and large did so well that Wiegman subbed her star striker off.
Verena Hanshaw – 5 – Really got given a rough ride by Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and later, Chloe Kelly. Was fortunate that England’s right flank couldn’t make the most of all their possession.
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— Squawka (@Squawka) July 6, 2022
Sarah Puntigam – 6 – Started superbly and had Austria humming but as England put their foot down and couldn’t do much to stem the tide of England attack.
Barbara Dunst – 6 – Advanced the ball really well but just couldn’t find the final pass.
Sarah Zadrazil – 6 – Was bright on the ball but just wasn’t on the ball enough.
Laura Feiersinger – 7 – Was superb at the start, looked like she was going to dominate the game. And she remained Austria’s biggest threat until she was forced off by injury.
Katharina Naschenweng – 5 – Was alright, could have been better.
Nicole Billa – 5 – Completely isolated.
Austria Substitutes:
Julia Hickelsberger-Fuller (for Naschenweng 59′) – 6 – Added some life.
Marina Georgieva (for Schnaderbeck 77′) – 7 – Defended well.
Marie Hobinger (for Feiersinger 87′) – n/a – Came on late.
