The delayed Women’s European Championships have got underway with the opening game taking place between hosts England and Austria.

Kicking off the tournament in the Theatre of Dreams as Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium is known.

The Lioness will be looking to go one step further than 2009 where they were runners up to Germany.

In the starting line up was Barrow born and Bayern Munich bound Georgia Stanway.

After early Austrian pressure England grew into the game.

In the 16th minute Fran Kirkby found Beth Mead in the Austrian box and she broke the deadlock lifting the ball over the Austrian goalkeeper as the defence scrambled back to try and clear.

They almost completed the job to deny England but the ball crossed the line and after a VAR check the goal was given.

England almost doubled their lead on 25 minutes when Lauren Hemp crossed to Ellen White who headed wide.

Just before half-time Austria worked the ball wide to cross it in but Millie Bright got her head to the ball to clear.

In extra time Kirkby crossed the ball to Hemp, having to take a second touch was closed down by the Austrian goalkeeper who pulled off a fantastic save to tip the ball over.

The game then settled down with neither side really troubling the opponents goalkeeper.

The second half started how the first ended with England pressuring them Austrian goal with Kirkby having an early shot from distance.

Stanway cut in onto her left shoot wide on the hour mark as the Austrian team make the first substitution.

England made three changes with Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo coming on for Kirkby, Mead and White as the front line is refreshed.

A free kick in the 72nd minute fell to Russo who couldn’t get into a position to capitalise on the chance.

The game settles into a back and forth with Austria growing back into the match.

A 1-0 win to start the tournament will suit England with the nerves settled they can turn to Norway on Monday.