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Rachel Daly admits it was difficult for her to have been benched in favour of Alessia Russo for England’s World Cup opener against Haiti on Saturday. Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty secured the Lionesses a nervy 1-0 victory at Brisbane Stadium to begin their quest for a maiden World Cup, but they have not scored in open play since Ella Toone netted against Brazil in April’s Finalissima at Wembley. The Russo-or-Daly dilemma was a much-debated topic ahead of the 2023 finals, with Tottenham’s Beth England also amongst boss Sarina Wiegman’s attacking options. Asked how she felt about her manager’s decision, Daly said: “I think anyone would be (frustrated). No one is happy to sit on the bench. If you are, then you are not in the right place, not in the right career. “It’s a tough place for Sarina to be, to pick the team. I respect her decisions and I will support Alessia all the way and obviously I know Beth will do the same.” Versatile Daly started at left-back for every game of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning run last summer, but has always played as a striker at club level and was selected as a forward for this tournament. The Harrogate native’s 22 goals for Aston Villa in the 2022-23 Women’s Super League season were enough to secure her the Golden Boot, while she also finished joint first for penalties converted with three. England was the WSL’s third-best scorer with 14, while Russo was joint fifth on 10 with Manchester United team-mate Leah Galton. Saturday’s Group D contest, against a Haiti side 49 places below the FIFA world number four-ranked Lionesses, did not do much to assuage fears about England’s attacking form. While Daly has full confidence in Wiegman, she did not rule out the possibility of trying to convince her boss to give her a shot in one of England’s two remaining group games against Denmark or China. Daly, who came on for Russo in the 76th minute on Saturday, said: “I think that’s the beauty of having a competitive squad. I think everybody is digging out for a position. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in multiple positions. I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes, obviously making such big decisions coming into tournaments. “But she’s a fantastic manager, we respect all of her decisions. It proved tonight that it works, so we are happy. “I think movement is probably one of my strengths. I just tried to come on and make a nuisance of myself for the defenders, stepping in off the back of Alessia’s big shift. She did brilliantly again, and I’m just ready when I’m called upon.” The retirements of striker Ellen White and midfielder Jill Scott last summer combined with injuries to Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead meant there were five differences between Wiegman’s line-up on Saturday and her unchanged Euro 2022 starters, while Daly’s position switch also created an opening in the back line. All that change, Daly speculated, could have factored into why England did not look near their dominant best in a match many expected they would win handily. She added: “I mean you could put it down to a number of things, but I think we are quite a new side, a relatively new side. We have lost a lot of players through injury, retiring. We are still building, but I don’t think it’s a worry and a concern at the minute. Hopefully, more will come.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Erik ten Hag happy with display in Manchester United’s victory over Arsenal Emile Smith Rowe ready to bounce back from injury-plagued season On this day in 2017: Anya Shrubsole bowls England to Women’s World Cup victory

One couple from Kilmarnock had to sleep on a mattress in the street after hotels on the Greek island were evacuated.

Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho helped Manchester United to a 2-0 pre-season win over Premier League rivals Arsenal.

In the wake of Tate's provocative statement, numerous individuals took to social media to voice their own opinions and reactions

Tom Aspinall banished a ghost at the O2 Arena on Saturday, securing a statement victory at UFC London to make a triumphant return, one year after suffering a severe injury in the same building. In July 2022, Aspinall tore his MCL and stretched his ACL just 15 seconds into his main event with Curtis Blaydes, and almost exactly 365 days later, the Wigan heavyweight stopped Marcin Tybura in the first round to get back to winning ways. Aspinall, 30, hurt Tybura early with a head kick but resisted getting carried away, instead biding his time – briefly, at least – before dropping the Pole, 37, with a straight right hand. Aspinall then pounced with hammer fists, forcing the stoppage with 1:13 on the clock, before climbing atop the cage to celebrate. “I wasn’t myself last year, this is a whole new version of me,” Aspinall said in his post-fight interview. “I’m not gonna say that I’m back, because I’m different. My mind’s different, my body’s different. I’m going all the way [to the belt]. “I’ll tell you exactly what I’m gonna do: I’m gonna go to Paris [in September], I’m gonna be sat front row for Ciryl Gane against Sergey Spivak. I’m gonna beat the winner, and then I’m gonna beat [champion] Jon Jones.” The result put the crowd back in jubilant spirits, after “Meatball” Molly McCann suffered a submission loss in the co-main event. The Liverpudlian fan favourite tapped to an armbar in her flyweight contest with Julija Stoliarenko, on what was a night of mixed fortunes for British fighters. Full UFC London results (* denotes British fighter) Main card *Tom Aspinall def. Marcin Tybura via first-round TKO (punches, 1:13) Julija Stoliarenko def. *Molly McCann via first-round submission (armbar, 1:55) *Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Fili via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) *Paul Craig def. Andre Muniz via second-round TKO (punches and elbows, 4:40) Fares Ziam def. *Jai Herbert via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) *Lerone Murphy def. Josh Culibao via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) Daniel Marcos def. *Davey Grant via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Prelims Jonny Parsons def. *Danny Roberts via second-round TKO (punches, 4:57) Joel Alvarez def. *Marc Diakiese via second-round submission (head-arm choke, 4:26) *Mick Parkin def. Jamal Pogues via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Makhmud Muradov def. Bryan Barberena via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Ketlen Vieira def. Pannie Kianzad via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) *Chris Duncan def. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Bruna Brasil def. Shauna Bannon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Jafel Filho def. Daniel Barez via first-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 1:34) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Tyson Fury seeks UFC star Tom Aspinall’s help ahead of Francis Ngannou fight Makhachev vs Oliveira official for UFC 294 as Khamzat Chimaev returns on undercard ‘The Rock’s shoes can go f*** themselves’: UFC fighter hits out at company’s sponsors Tyson Fury seeks UFC star’s help ahead of Francis Ngannou fight Two major fights announced for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi ‘The Rock’s shoes can go f*** themselves’: UFC fighter hits out at sponsors

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had surgery to fit a pacemaker, days before a crucial vote on legal reforms.

Opponents call it a "plot on democracy" and say the referendum result should be annulled.

Russia's latest missile attack on Odesa left two dead Sunday, wounded many and badly damaged a UNESCO-listed Orthodox cathedral, drawing a vow...

Germany’s affordable public transit offer has successfully nudged consumers to ditch their cars for trains, according to news

Olivia Munn and John Mulaney spent a day at the beach on Saturday, July 22, and faced difficulty while trying to apply sunscreen to their toddler

FRANKFURT Mercedes-Benz is making China, the world's top auto market, central to its next electric vehicle (EV) campaign

China has announced several measures recently to boost the economy and made a number of pledges to improve