The Lionesses edged past a dogged Haiti side, winning 1-0 in Brisbane thanks to a twice-taken Georgia Stanway penalty.

Bright skippered England and was partnered by her Chelsea team-mate Carter at centre-half, with Blues duo James and Niamh Charles starting the game on the bench.

England started brightly and enjoyed a large share of possession but Haiti defended stubbornly and created a number of problems going forward, looking threatening despite only registering two efforts on target.

Mary Earps in the England goal pulled off two fantastic saves to ensure her clean sheet stayed intact. Carter, pushed inside from left-back to centre-back, made a number of important interceptions to keep Haiti at bay.

The breakthrough for England came via the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark. Lucy Bronze met a deep cross at the back post but after checking VAR, it was clear that Batcheba Louis had handled the cross and a spotkick was awarded.

Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway saw her penalty brilliantly beaten away by the goalkeeper but, following another VAR check, it was clear she had come off her line and Stanway was offered another opportunity to break the deadlock from 12 yards and she made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly both threatened to double England’s lead, while at the other end Earps pushed away a goalbound header to deny Haiti.

Lauren James entered the fray on the hour-mark and the Chelsea forward looked lively in a left-side attacking role, while Niamh Charles remained on the bench as an unused substitute.

In the end, there were no further goals and England will be pleased to have pushed through this difficult opening group game with all three points.

The Lionesses face Denmark in their next group game.

Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, Chelsea forward Maiko Hamano was an unused substitute as Japan thumped Zambia 5-0 in New Zealand.

The win means Japan top Group C, leapfrogging Spain on goal difference.