Manchester United Women opened up their World 7s campaign in Portugal with a 3-2 win over AFC Roma.
Marc Skinner named a strong side after the disappointment of the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce started in goals with Maya Le Tissier as the only recognised defender. Dominique Janssen started alongside Grace Clinton.
Ella Toone, Melvine Malard and Celine Bizet rounded out the team’s attacking options.
Toone was the first United player to try her luck but she dragged her effort just wide in the first five minutes of play.
After some back and forth, the Red Devils took the lead on 12 minutes when Celine Bizet turned in Grace Clinton’s deflected shot from range.
Just two minutes later, Toone had bagged United’s second. She expertly cut inside from the left and fired a strike into the bottom corner of the net to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.
Just before half-time though, the Italians cut the deficit in half.
A strong run by Manuela Giugliano was rounded off by a ferocious strike into the top corner of the net to give Tullis-Joyce no chance.
The half-time whistle blew after 15 minutes with the Red Devils ahead in the intriguing new format.
On 18 minutes, the Roman captain was at it again as she showed her talent once more.
Giugliano ran at the United defence once more and unleashed an even better effort from range that dipped into the bottom corner of the goal to draw the Italians level.
Skinner’s side responded brilliantly however, and just two minutes later they were ahead again.
A brilliant flick on by Malard was met by Clinton who went one on one with the keeper. She kept her composure and dinked a cool finish over the onrushing goalkeeper to restore United’s lead.
Both sides pushed for a further goal and substitute Simi Awujo came close with a long-range shot that was well dealt with by the Roma keeper.
Clinton almost grabbed her second after she was well picked out by Aoife Mannion but she somehow missed from close range with the goal gaping.
At the end of 30 minutes, United managed to hold on and get their World 7s tournament off to the perfect start.
They will face SL Benfica later today in Group B at 16.30 UK time, looking to make it two wins from two.
Featured image Ben Roberts Photo via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
