GIVE ME SPORT
England ground out a 1-0 victory against Haiti in their opening match at the Women’s World Cup.
A penalty from Georgia Stanway was the only goal in a chaotic match often interrupted by VAR.
The Lionesses were first denied a penalty after Alessia Russo fouled an opposition player in the build-up, but they then had one awarded following Batcheba Louis’s handball in the box.
Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus saved Stanway’s first attempt, but was judged to have stepped off her line early.
A relieved Stanway buried her second spot kick, and her goal turned out to be the winner as England were repeatedly frustrated by Haiti.
Teenage sensation Melchie Dumornay was a constant thorn in the side of the Lionesses, who had to rely heavily on the heroics of goalkeeper Mary Earps to keep a clean sheet.
Boss Sarina Wiegman would have been relieved to hear the full-time whistle, but this quickly turned into confusion as it became apparent the referee had blown early.
Referee accidentally blows final whistle early during England vs Haiti
The referee Emikar Caldera had added four minutes to the end of the scrappy encounter between England and Haiti at Brisbane Stadium, but blew her whistle 15 seconds before this time was up.
The players started to run towards each other to shake hands, but the referee then appeared to realise her mistake.
After a period of confusion, Caldera decided to award a dropped ball. But she then blew the full-time whistle again just seconds later, after England had played only one pass.
Have a watch of the bizarre incident in the video below
