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The Women’s World Cup continued with three games taking place on the second day of the tournament. Spain and Switzerland got their campaigns off to a winning start against Costa Rica and the Philippines respectively. However, Canada were forced to share the spoils with Nigeria after Christine Sinclair’s spot-kick was saved. Here the PA news agency takes a look at Friday’s action. Dominant Spain Spain started their campaign by easing to a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. Valeria del Campo’s own goal was followed by strikes from Aitana Bonmati and Esther Gonzalez in the next six minutes. Jenni Hermoso also had a penalty saved by Daniela Solera before half-time, meaning that there has been a spot-kick awarded in all five games in the tournament so far. The match also marked the return of double Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who played the final 13 minutes of the game following her return from an ACL injury. Missed chances for Canada It was not the start to the tournament that Canada were hoping for after being held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria in Group B. In a tense clash, veteran Sinclair had the opportunity to put Canada ahead from the penalty spot, but she was denied by brilliant diving save from Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The Super Eagles had Deborah Abiodun sent-off in the final stages of the game. Nnadozie’s stellar performance earned praise from Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum. He said: “Chiamaka has done this before and I will say this and I will embarrass her in front of you all, but I think she’s one of the best young goalkeepers in the world right now.” Swiss top Group A Switzerland take the advantage into the next round of fixtures after they beat the Philippines 2-0 to top Group A. It was a tough start for the Filipinas on their World Cup debut after Katrina Guillou had her effort ruled out for offside in the 16th minute. Ramona Bachmann then put the Swiss ahead with a penalty before the break and Seraina Piubel secured victory with her strike in the 64th minute. Switzerland are level with co-hosts New Zealand on three points and will face Norway next on Tuesday. Picture of the Day Quote of the Day This may be our first time out here but it doesn’t feel like it. We have way more to give. We’re going to look forward to the next one and bring it as hard as we can. Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel Post of the Day Up Next Group E: USA v Vietnam (2am, Eden Park, Auckland)Group C: Zambia v Japan (8am, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)Group D: England v Haiti (10.30am, Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane)Group D: Denmark v China (1pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)all times BST Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Paul Wellens wants St Helens to use past disappointments as fuel against Leigh Open officials alter bunkers after complaints as Brian Harman surges into lead England mascot Dave the cat supporting Lionesses from his new home

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England goalkeeper Mary Earps has expressed her dismay over the “very hurtful” decision not to put her replica shirt on sale ahead of the World Cup. The Manchester United star was named the world’s best goalkeeper in women’s football by FIFA in February, and was also appointed vice-captain by England boss Sarina Wiegman for this global showpiece. Earps claimed she only realised her shirt would not be made available by manufacturer Nike in April, and said she has since been “fighting behind closed doors” to find a solution before England open their campaign on Saturday against Haiti but to no avail. The Euro 2022 champion said: “I can’t really sugar-coat this in any way, so I am not going to try. It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful. “It is very, on a personal level, it is obviously hugely hurtful considering the last 12 months especially – and also I think there has been an incredible rise in goalkeeping participation over that year. “I go into grassroots clubs and I am asked to bribe people to go into goal, and I have been to more clubs recently and that’s not been the case. “A lot of that has come off the back of the Euros but also some of my success this year. “For my own family and friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they are going to come out and wear normal clothes and I know that sounds like: ‘Oh Mary, what a horrible problem,’ but on a personal level that is really hard. “You know, (England captain) Millie (Bright) spoke to me a couple of weeks ago or maybe a bit longer and said: ‘Mary, my niece is desperate to get your shirt, where can I get it?’. I was like: ‘Yeah you can’t, it doesn’t exist’. “I think that is a huge problem, and I think it is a scary message that is being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that you are not important. “(Kids) are going to say: ‘Mum, dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?’ And they say: ‘I can’t but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23 or a Rachel Daly 9.’ And so what you are saying is that goalkeeping isn’t important but you can be a striker if you want.” England men’s keeper Jordan Pickford also does not have a replica goalkeeper shirt available for purchase on the England store. Earps claimed she offered to fund the shirts herself and that the Football Association (FA) has supported her efforts, but said she was ultimately forced to produce her own limited edition t-shirt because she at the very least “wanted to create something that people could have for themselves” at the World Cup. The PA news agency understands that while the FA is involved in the design of England kits, the manufacturer ultimately determines the commercial direction of what is produced. PA has contacted Nike for comment.

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Haiti have nothing to lose on their Women’s World Cup debut as they join England, Denmark and China in Group D. Ranked 53rd in the world, Haiti are one of eight teams playing at the Women’s World Cup for the first time, a stage that reached via the inter-continental play-offs. Rising star Melchie Dumornay scored twice in their final 2-1 victory over Chile, and Haiti have the talent to cause further upsets if they can balance their ambition with defensive organisation. Nicolas Delepine’s side are faced with a tough task, however. Not only will they face European champions England in Group D, but Asian champions China as well. Haiti Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 22 July 2023: England vs Haiti (10:30, Brisbane Stadium) Friday 28 July 2023: China vs Haiti (12:00, Adelaide) Tuesday 1 August: Haiti vs Denmark (12:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Nahomie Ambroise (Little Haiti), Lara-Sofia Larco (Georgetown University), Kerly Theus (Miami City). Defenders: Tabita Joseph (Stade Brestois 29), Kethna Louis (Montpellier), Ruthny Mathurin (Mississippi State), Betina Petit-Frere (Stade Brestois 29), Milan Raquel Pierre-Jerome (Georges Mason University), Chelsea Surpris (Grenoble), Jennyfer Limage (Grenoble), Maudeline Moryl (Grenoble) Joseph Esthericove (Exafoot) Midfielders: Melchie Dumornay (Lyon), Danielle Etienne (Fordham Rams), Noa Olivia Ganthier (Weston), Sherly Jeudy (Grenoble), Dayana Pierre-Louis (GPSO Issy) Forwards: Roselord Borgella (Dijon), Roseline Eloissaint (Nantes), Florsie Darlina Joseph (Grenoble), Shwendesky Macelus Joseph (Zenit St Petersburg), Batcheba Louis (FC Fleury), Nerilia Mondesir (Montpellier) Key player There is considerable excitement around the 19-year-old Melchie Dumornay, who has signed a pre-contract with European powerhouse Lyon ahead of the new season. The midfielder scored twice as Haiti beat Chile in the inter-continental play-offs to qualify for the World Cup and is regarded as one of the best young players in the world. “You can’t compare Melchie with any other player, she’s special,” team-mate Jennyfer Limage told Fifa. The coach Frenchman Nicolas Delepine helped spark scenes of national celebration when Haiti qualified for their first ever World Cup by beating Chile in the play-off final. With the majority of the Haiti team already playing in France, Delepine took the job from French club Grenoble Foot 38 and wants his team to play quick, attacking football. Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: England build-up to Haiti opener after Spain win How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s World Cup odds: Who are favourites to win the tournament? England Women’s squad for World Cup 2023 England women World Cup fixtures and route to the final England’s World Cup hinges on a defining question

England’s unlikely World Cup mascot will be watching the Lionesses from his forever home as Dave the cat settles into his new surroundings. While football might not have come home from Qatar, stray cat Dave did after the friendly feline became a firm favourite of the squad as he roamed freely around England’s Al Wakrah training base. Manchester City duo John Stones and Kyle Walker were pictured with Dave on most evenings and the latter said the team would adopt the cat if Gareth Southgate’s men won the World Cup. Despite their quarter-final exit at the hands of France, Dave was still given the chance to travel to the UK and was eventually rehomed by the Football Association’s media operations manager Anna Bush and her family. “There was a discussion around wanting Dave to end up with a family with young children, so I put my hand up and volunteered and my children are absolutely delighted,” she told the PA news agency. “They’ve never had a pet before and what a first pet to have! They (the players) are aware and delighted. He’s got a new home and a family to look after him.” He left Al Wakrah in December, just two hours after the squad had departed for home, and headed to a veterinary clinic where he had blood tests and vaccinations. After being in quarantine for months he was welcomed by his new family, instantly taking to his surroundings and showing he picked up a keen eye for football after his stint as England’s top cat. While Dave lived the life of a stray during the men’s World Cup, he can watch the women attempt to follow up their Euros success from last summer in the comfort of his new home. The Bush family even have a way of making sure Dave – who now has his own Instagram page – is part of any success Down Under as he offers up his match predictions, with a little incentive to back Sarina Wiegman and her team. “He has settled in so well,” added Bush. “He loves the surrounding area and loves it in the sun – he is finding his feet and absolutely loves watching my two boys play football in the garden. “One of them actually coloured in both of the crests ahead of the Champions League and wanted Manchester City to win so he put a few treats down (on the City crest) and so Dave predicted that Man City were going to win the Champions League final and they did! “Now we have to start doing that for the Women’s World Cup I suppose – bring on England on Saturday.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Natalie Grinczer hopes to take advantage after late switch to Lifeplus-Wahoo Early starters battle overcast conditions as Tommy Fleetwood shares Open lead Football rumours: Harry Kane will not sign new Tottenham deal

England boss Sarina Wiegman vowed the Lionesses would do “everything” they can to bring home a first World Cup when they begin their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday. Wiegman also provided a welcome update on captain Millie Bright, who is fit to start tomorrow’s contest after concerns she was still recovering from the knee injury she sustained in March which required surgery. The World Cup trophy is one that has so far eluded both England and Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the final four years ago in France but fell to defeat at the hands of the United States. Asked if England could lift the trophy this year, she said: “We’re here and we have a dream, and of course there’s always a chance to win the World Cup, and many more countries can win the World Cup I think, but of course we’re going to give our everything starting tomorrow.” FIFA world number four England are ranked 49 places above Saturday opponents Haiti, who beat Chile in the qualifying play-off to reach a maiden World Cup. The Lionesses are heavy favourites to top Group D, which also includes 13th-ranked Denmark and number 14 China. Wiegman, however, was quick to dismiss the idea that facing lower-ranked opposition puts England in a position of having more to lose, perhaps more so than when they kicked off their winning Euro 2022 campaign against Austria last summer. “The pressure is always something. Everyone expected England to win anyway. This is for tomorrow and also last year, and that was also for the Austria game for the European Championships,” she added. “So that’s not different. What we’re just trying to do is play our game and focus on what we have to do and how we can win, and that’s basically what we do all the time, so bring it back to what actions we need to take as a team.” Wiegman said she has “basically decided” on her starting XI for tomorrow but would not reveal whether or not the players had already been informed. The Lionesses begin their sixth World Cup still having not come to an agreement with the Football Association over issues surrounding performance-based bonus payments and commercial structures. On Tuesday, Bright posted a statement on Twitter on behalf of the team which said they were “disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved” but would “pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament”. The skipper, who will wear a FIFA-sanctioned ‘Unite for Inclusion’ armband in Saturday’s contest, reiterated that those discussions are now fully parked. “Obviously it’s not a situation everyone wants to be in, but I think as players we’re not just programmed to play football,” Bright said. “Sometimes we have to have these conversations. But we have a very professional group and football is always at the front of everything. So as players now our heads are in the game, they always have been on the game. “Everything is on hold with those sorts of questions. We’ll address the situation at a later date, but for now it’s all about the tournament.” Earlier, Haiti manager Nicolas Delepine took a lighthearted stab at the Lionesses, who have not scored in their last three matches including the behind-closed-doors training game with Canada on the Sunshine Coast a week ago which ended in a goalless draw not for official records. He told a press conference: “It’s going to be a difficult game, for sure. And if I have to talk about the strengths of England, I’ll be here all day. “In big competitions England are tough opponents. They played well in the European Championships. “We’re expecting a high intensity game. They are a difficult team to play against, they are attacking with threats everywhere but they maybe have a problem with finishing.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Natalie Grinczer hopes to take advantage after late switch to Lifeplus-Wahoo Early starters battle overcast conditions as Tommy Fleetwood shares Open lead Football rumours: Harry Kane will not sign new Tottenham deal

What the papers say Harry Kane will not sign a new deal with Tottenham as Bayern Munich look increasingly likely to sign the 29-year-old striker, according to the Times. The England captain is in no rush to leave the club this summer but it leaves Tottenham facing a decision to let him go now or try to win a title or reach the Champions League with him in their side next season. Bayern Munich have offered £68million for Kane but Tottenham have valued him at £100million. The Daily Mail say Tottenham have identified two players as potential replacements for midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojberg, who will likely move to Atletico Madrid. Chelsea’s young gun Conor Gallagher and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz have been identified as potential options. West Ham’s continued search to fill the void of Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal last week, has landed at Southampton’s James Ward Prowse, the Guardian reports. The Hammers are willing to let Flynn Downes go to Southampton if it means they can secure 28-year-old Ward-Prowse. Birmingham Live says Aston Villa have secured the signature of French winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen. Social media round-up Players to watch Igor: The 25-year-old Brazilian defender could be on the move to Brighton as they close in on a £15million deal with Italian club Fiorentina, the Telegraph reports. Marco Verratti: The Guardian says Paris St Germain’s Italian midfielder is being monitored by Liverpool. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Swiss attacker Alisha Lehmann will be well known to fans of the Barclay’s Women’s Super League, having played for West Ham, Everton and, since 2021, Aston Villa, where she links up with Lionesses Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs to often devastating effect. But the 24-year-old is arguably even better known online thanks to her huge following on Instagram, where she has 13m followers – more than fellow Swiss sporting great Roger Federer – and reportedly earns as much as £241,314 for sponsored posts, according to The Sun. Speaking to Sky Sports in the run-up to this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Lehmann reflected on how far she had come from her hometown of Tagertschi on the outskirts of Bern. “I grew up in a country village in Switzerland,” she said. “When I go home, we still have a lot of animals – horses and dogs. Everything was so different. “We just played street football all day. When a car came, we shouted: ‘Car! Move!’ It was so normal. Now it’s a bit different! This makes me so humble because I can always think about this moment. There is a difference now, I live in a big city. But I never forget it.” Switzerland will be seeking to make a particular impression at this World Cup as the country prepares to host the next Euros in 2025. In addition to Lehmann, coach Inka Grings has Arsenal’s Lia Walti, PSG forward Ramona Bachmann and Barcelona winger Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic to call upon in a tricky group that will see them play the Philippines, Norway and hosts New Zealand, the latter likely to benefit from some passionate home support.

Former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from international football on this day in 2014. Gerrard was one of the best midfielders of his generation, making 114 appearances for England, which places him fourth on the men’s all-time list. But while he regularly tops fan polls as Liverpool’s greatest player, Gerrard rarely hit the same heights for England during his 14-year international career. His decision came after England’s dismal showing in the 2014 World Cup, where Roy Hodgson’s side crashed out at the group stage after defeats to Italy and Uruguay and a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica. Gerrard was handed his debut by Kevin Keegan aged 20 in a 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley in 2000 and was named in the squad for the European Championship later that summer, coming on against Germany in the group stage. It was against the Germans that he bagged his first goal the following year, a memorable strike in a famous 5-1 World Cup qualifying win which, along with two strikes at the 2006 World Cup, made for arguably his best moments in an England shirt. He would have had a place in history as the only Englishman to play in four World Cups had injury not kept him out of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. On a personal level he enjoyed a fine England career, captaining his country 38 times and scoring 21 goals. But the disappointing 2010 and 2014 World Cup campaigns – England exited the latter in Brazil bottom of their group and without a win – were tough for Gerrard to take and, like the rest of the ‘Golden Generation’, he retired without a major international honour. He went on to play another season for Liverpool in 2014-15, becoming the third player to make 500 or more Premier League appearances for one club after Ryan Giggs and former team-mate Jamie Carragher. He joined LA Galaxy in 2015 and made 19 appearances for the Major League Soccer club before announcing his retirement as a player in November 2016, aged 36. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The ninth Fifa Women’s World Cup is under way as Australia and New Zealand co-host the 2023 tournament. England enter the World Cup as one of the favourites as the Lionesses look to build on their victory at the European Championships last summer by winning the game’s biggest prize. They have reached the semi-finals on their last two World Cup appearances in 2015 and 2019 and will be dreaming of going one step further here – although manager Sarina Wiegman has had plenty of injuries to contend with in the build-up. The United States are the favourites and are looking to win their third consecutive World Cup, while there are also high-calibre teams representing Spain, France and Germany. Australia are the more likely of the host nations to deliver glory on home soil. Games will be staged in six stadiums across five Australian cities (Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney) and four cities in New Zealand (Dunedin, Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington). The final will take place in Sydney’s 81,500-capacity Stadium Australia, which was built for the 2000 Olympic Games and is currently used as a rugby venue. Here are the pre-tournament odds to win the World Cup: USA 5/2 England 5/1 Spain 5/1 Germany 8/1 France 14/1 Australia 15/1 Sweden 19/1 Netherlands 22/1 Brazil 25/1 Japan 33/1 Norway 33/1 Canada 40/1 Denmark 66/1 New Zealand 100/1 Portugal 100/1 China 200/1 Italy 200/1 Switzerland 250/1 South Korea 250/1 Colombia 250/1 Rep of Ireland 500/1 Argentina 500/1 Zambia 500/1 Haiti 500/1 Nigeria 500/1 South Africa 1000/1 Jamaica 1000/1 Costa Rica 1000/1 Panama 1000/1 Morocco 1000/1 Vietnam 1000/1 Philippines 1000/1 Odds via Oddschecker Read More Women’s World Cup teams: Every squad and key players to watch Women’s World Cup odds: Who are favourites to win the tournament? What channel is the Women’s World Cup on? How to watch every match Women’s World Cup LIVE: Canada held by Nigeria before Spain in action

Steph Catley’s penalty earned co-hosts Australia a narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland in front of a record home crowd after captain Sam Kerr was ruled out of their first two matches at the Women’s World Cup due to injury. Catley took the armband from Kerr after the star forward was sidelined by a calf injury picked up in training on the day before the tournament, and the stand-in skipper converted a second-half spot-kick to ensure Australia made a winning start to the World Cup in front of over 75,000 fans at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Earlier, co-hosts New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup win, at their 16th attempt, as Hannah Wilkinson’s goal shocked group favourites Norway at a sold-out Eden Park. It was also a record attendance for New Zealand, men’s or women’s, with a crowd of over 45,000 there to celebrate a historic victory at the tournament. The kick-off to the World Cup came just hours after a mass shooting in Auckland that killed two people and wounded six. But the World Cup will “proceed as planned” and New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins said there was no risk to national security. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Why Australia’s Women’s World Cup opener felt different New Zealand’s historic moment gives Women’s World Cup the spark it needed How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV