Alessia Russo started over Rachel Daly for England‘s opening World Cup clash against Haiti.
England began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over debutants Haiti. A Georgia Stanway penalty was enough to give the Lionesses all three points.
The Bayern midfielder scored at the second attempt after her first spot-kick was saved by Haiti’s 5’4 keeper Kerly Theus.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman faced many tough calls for her starting eleven but opted to start Arsenal’s Russo over Aston Villa’s Daly.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a remarkable campaign for Manchester United last season, which earned her a move to Arsenal this summer.
United were hoping Russo would choose to sign a new contract after the club qualified for the Champions League and offered to make her their highest paid player.
Daly will feel a little hard done by after her sensational season with Villa. The forward was the league’s top scorer last season, with 22 goals.
Alessia Russo started for England over Rachel Daly in their 1-0 win against World Cup debutants Haiti
The Arsenal forward got the nod over Daly, who was the WSL top scorer last season
Speaking before the game, Wiegman gave her reasons for starting Russo over Daly.
‘First of all, it was really hard. We have three good centre forwards in our squad. We have made very hard decisions over time,’ Wiegman said.
‘We had the preparation camps, and we had the games we played earlier this season. In the end, I came up with the decision. That’s why Alessia starts.’
‘That was really hard, they’ve both done very well. Bethany England too. You just make up your mind at the end. They gave us headaches.’
Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly – who scored England’s winner against Germany in the Euro 2022 final – received the nod in attack along with fellow Manchester City team-mate Lauren Hemp.
Millie Bright captained the Lionesses at the back. The Chelsea defender has had her injury issues over the last few months but was declared fit to start the clash against the World Cup debutants.
Bright partnered Chelsea team-mate Jess Carter in defence, while Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood operated at fullback.
The Lionesses are back in action again next Friday when they face Denmark in Sydney.
England XI: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Carter; Stanway, Walsh; Hemp, Toone, Kelly; Russo
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