England beat Kenya 2-0 in their opening FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup group stage game in the Dominican Republic.
Group C – North Korea 4-1 Mexico, Kenya 0-2 England
Group D – Japan 0-0 Poland, Brazil 1-0 Zambia
The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark, Omotara Junaid’s cross was handled in the box and Lola Brown converted the resulting penalty.
Head coach Natalie Henderson used one of her two VAR appeals – permitted as part of a FIFA trial for the finals – but the referee stuck with the on-field decision of a yellow for Rebecca Odato’s challenge on Junaid.
Vera Jones created chances for Junaid and Nelly Las but both were denied by Kenya keeper Velma Abwire, who also saved a Laila Harbert effort on the line.
Lauryn Thompson came on in the 84th-minute and made an instant impact, surging forward to fire home via the post.
England next face Mexico on Sunday, who were beaten 4-1 by North Korea for whom Choe Rin-jong hit a hat-trick.
Juju’s 19th-minute goal was enough for Brazil to beat Zambia, while Japan and Poland played out a goalless draw.
Next matches are on Saturday night (UK times, live on FIFA+)
9pm – Nigeria v Ecuador, Spain v South Korea
Midnight – Colombia v USA, Dominican Republic v New Zealand
