England battle past Haiti in nervy World Cup opener

This was not the decisive victory most had predicted for the European champions and world's number-four side against a team 49 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

England took the lead midway through the first half when Batcheba Louis was punished for a handball and Stanway stepped up to the spot.

Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus sparked a jubilant celebration when she saved Stanway's first effort, but Venezuelan referee Emikar Calderas ruled the keeper had encroached and the penalty was retaken.

Stanway did not make the same mistake twice as she fired low into the left corner for what felt like an uneasy lead at the end of a stop-start first half.

Haiti came close to levelling more than once in the second half, including a late chance denied at the last by England goalkeeper Mary Earps' outstretched foot.

While the Lionesses ultimately walked away with all three points, it was an underwhelming performance that will leave boss Sarina Wiegman with plenty of questions ahead of Thursday's meeting with Denmark.

Stanway gave credit to Haiti after the game finished 1-0, telling ITV1: "They challenged us, very dangerous on the counter-attack. That's something we'll work on in training this week.

"We knew they were going to be dangerous. Mary (Earps) came up with a big save and everybody played their part. It's saves like that that keep us in this tournament. The most important thing is that we've got three points and it's the first game.

"The first game is to settle the nerves, you can build momentum. It's just nice to get that World Cup feel after watching for two days."