England fans dreaming of World Cup glory erupted in celebration after Georgia Stanway converted a penalty from the spot to take a 1-0 lead over Haiti in the Lionesses’ tournament opener Down Under.

Just moments before Stanway had her first penalty shot emphatically saved when Hattian goalkeeper Kerly Théus tipped the ball past the post. But after being given a second chance when Théus was ruled to have encroached from her line, Stanway this time put the ball in the back of the net as cheers fired out around the stadium.

Both England and Hati fans at the Lang Stadium in Australia’s sunshine state struggled to remain in their seats as the match kicked off at 7.30pm local time (10.30 BST) with a frantic start.

St. George’s flag-clad supporters, fit with England-branded bucket hats and scarves, were pictured taking in the atmosphere as their emotions were stirred once again by England’s Lionesses in an incredibly close first half.

Chants of ‘England, England, England’ rang out across the ground as the excitement built with end to end play that offered both teams close chances.

Back home, millions of supporters are gathering in pubs and huddling round their televisions this morning as they dream of World Cup glory in the weeks to come.

After capturing the nation’s heart with their enthralling win over Germany last year to lift the Women’s European Championship trophy, Sarina Wiegman’s women will again be looking to create memories as they kick off their tournament opener.

England supporters react with excitement as they get ready for the match in Brisbane today

St. George’s flag-clad supporters, fit with England-branded bucket hats and scarves, were pictured taking in the atmosphere

Lauren Hemp was in action for England as enthralled fans watched on in the Brisbane stadium

England supporters back home in Ruislip celebrate after England score with a retaken penalty

A young girl celebrates after England score with a retaken penalty during the Big Football Day at Ruislip Rangers FC

While England fans back home were excited for the tournament’s potential, the anticipation was matched in Haiti as fans in the small Caribbean nation bought televisions just so they could watch their team.

England sit 49 places above Haiti in the world rankings, and are expected to win comfortably in a game that has been dubbed a potential goalfest for the Lionesses.

But the match proved to be even form the start with both England and Haiti earning potential chances.

After 20 minutes of tense play, England fans erupted in excitement when it looked like they were to be awarded a penalty.

But the excitement was quickly quashed when the Venezuelan referee Emikar Calderas consulted VAR and ruled out a spot kick.

Just five minutes later England were given another chance when Haiti’s Kethna Louis got her fingers on a whipped in corner kick from Chloe Kelly.

After an incredible save by the Hattian keeper, deemed as encroachment, the spot kick had to be taken again.

This time Stanway converted from the spot as immense cheers shot up from England supporters around the ground. 

Wiegman’s women are one of the most fancied teams at this year’s tournament, but her squad is already depleted with several injuries to key players and will need to be able to contend with double-reigning champions USA and Spain.

Earlier this morning, England fans were getting ready to revel in the mix of trepidation and excitement for the tournament.

Although kick off was at 10.30am in the UK, many were already heading towards the pub to watch the forthcoming match.

Fans posted images to social media showing themselves getting ready as one also showed off the obligatory and traditional St. George’s flag draped out of the top window of their home.  

The England team pose for a group photo before the Women’s World Cup Group D match against Haiti

England fan group, Free Lions, pose for photos in the city prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup match against Haiti in Brisbane

Fans stretched out their hands to reach for a high-five from keeper Mary Earps ahead of the warm up

Fans from both England and Haiti cheer and show off their support ahead of the match today

An England fans covers herself with the St George’s flag ready for the Lioness’ kick off 

An excited England supporter holds up a sign ahead of the game reading: ‘Lionesses can I trade friendship bracelets for your shirt’

England fans were pictured already inside the stadium in Brisbane with hours to go ahead of kick off

England fans hold up a St George’s flag ahead of kick off in the stadium today 

Fans get ready for the game as one Haiti supporter raises a flag in excitement

The Lionesses gather in the stadium as they prepare for their tournament opener in Brisbane

An England fan hangs up a banner prior to the match in Brisbane today

The Lionesses inspect the pitch prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Haiti at Brisbane Stadium

Ellie Roebuck takes in the stadium just an hour away from kick off at the Brisbane stadium today

Lauren Hemp of England inspects the pitch as anticipation builds ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup opener today

Haiti supporters were also in the house as they get ready to watch their team take on the Lionesses

An England fan poses next to Story Bridge prior to the match at Lang Park, Brisbane

England’s build-up to the tournament has been clouded by an ongoing dispute between the players and the Football Association over bonus payments on top of the money they will earn from world soccer governing body FIFA.

But the Lionesses have agreed to pause discussions with the FA as they aim to back up their continental triumph with success on the global stage.

Wiegman, who has not been involved in the talks, said the stalled discussions had not been a distraction in the team’s preparations for the tournament.

‘We’re here and we have a dream,’ she said. ‘Of course there is always a chance to win the World Cup. We will give everything. You call it noise (the bonus row).

‘When we go on the pitch, everyone is aligned and everyone is focused on football. I haven’t seen any other behaviours, so yes, we are ready.

‘They felt comfortable to use their platform (to put their side of the bonus argument) and their platform has become bigger. But now it’s all about football — the only focus is on football.

‘We said we want to be ready and we are. We have had our last session and we are ready to go.’

England are overwhelming favourites to beat Haiti on Saturday, who are competing at their first World Cup and ranked 53rd in the world. ‘We have a lot of respect for them, they’ve done really well,’ Wiegman said. ‘We have a whole team behind us to analyse our opponents, so we know everything we need to know about Haiti.

‘We have never played them but we are very well prepared and I don’t think there is any stone unturned in our preparation for this game.’

Sarina Wiegman, Head Coach of England, looks on during an England Training Session at Brisbane Stadium yesterday, ahead of today’s match

England supporters visit a local pub prior to the clash against Haiti in Brisbane this morning

England fans visit the pub ahead of the Group D match at Lang Park, Brisbane, today

England fan group, Free Lions, explore the city prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Group D match at Lang Park

The shirts of England players are seen inside the dressing room prior to the match in Brisbane today

England’s Lionesses familiarise themselves with the Brisbane Stadium on Friday ahead of today’s campaign opener against Haiti

Players of England pose for a photograph during a training session at Spencer Park yesterday

Head of Women’s Football at the Football Supporters Association, Deborah Dilworth, shows her painted nails prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Four England supporters from the fan group Free Lions explore the city prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Group D match at Lang Park, Brisbane

St. Georges flag-clad supporters, fit with England branded bucket hats and scarves, were pictured marching along the Brisbane River as they prepare to have their emotions stirred once again by England’s Lionesses

An England fan poses next to Story Bridge prior to the match against Haiti in Brisbane this morning

England fan group, Free Lions, explore the city prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Group D match at Lang Park

Fans draped in St. Georges flags explore the city prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup clash at Lang Park later this morning

Wiegman admitted the title of European champions would bring extra pressure but believes her team have become adept at handling expectation.

‘The pressure is always on England,’ she said. ‘Everyone expects England to win — that was the same last year (at the Euros). What we’re trying to do is play our game and focus on what we have to do and how we can do it.’

It came after holders United States began their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title against debutants Vietnam in Auckland in the early hours of this morning.

The giants of the women’s game capped off a fine performance with a 3-0 win over Vietnam, already setting down a marker for England to chase. 

The Americans are plotting a fairytale sendoff for the retiring Megan Rapinoe, playing at her fourth and final World Cup, with co-captain Lindsey Horan saying they want to send the veteran forward ‘out on a high’ by retaining the title.

England manager Sarina Wiegman during a press conference at Brisbane Stadium, ahead of the match today

England’s Chloe Kelly smiles as the Lionesses familiarise themselves with the stadium ahead of their match today 

Players of England look on during stadium familiarisation at Brisbane Stadium yesterday

England fans walk through Brisbane on their way to the stadium ahead of their match today

An England fan group poses for photos in front of the Storey Bridge in Brisbane today

British high commissioner, Vicki Treadell (left), poses for photos with England fans prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Group D match

‘She was a role model for me growing up,’ Horan said before the Group E opener. ‘It’s hard thinking about someone who has been so close to you on the field, that this is her last major tournament and is retiring.

‘But it is also a way to celebrate her. We want to win for this team, this country. But to send her out on a high would be incredible.’

Japan, who won the title in 2011 and were runners-up in 2015, will get their Group C campaign underway in Hamilton, New Zealand against Zambia – another team making their tournament debut.

Denmark, led by captain and all-time top scorer Pernille Harder, return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence and will face Asian champions China in their first Group D game in Perth.

An England fan waves a scarf in the air as they sit in a pub ahead of today’s match

And England fan shows their tattoo prior to the match today as they hope to ad 2023 beneath 1966 in the coming weeks 

England fan Emily Taylor poses for a photo prior to the match in Brisbane today

Britain’s high commissioner leaves a message on an England flag wishing the Lionesses every sucess

British high commissioner, Vicki Treadell, takes part in fan activities prior to the match today

England fan group, Free Lions, explore the city prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 match

British high commissioner, Vicki Treadell, poses for photos with England fans prior to the match at Lang Park, Brisbane