After months of buildup, England took to the World Cup stage in Brisbane with a frail defensive display. For a side whose success in the Euros last summer depended so heavily on their ability in defence, they were made to look fragile, and at times chaotic, by a fast and tenacious Haiti side who took the game to the European champions.
The Lionesses’ backline was always going to be a focal point when Millie Bright was declared fit by Sarina Wiegman a little over 24 hours before kick-off. The England captain played her first 90 minutes of competitive football since injuring her knee in March. While she had received some minutes in a behind-closed-doors game last week against Canada, the cobwebs were clear to see.
