England vs Scotland result: Lionesses open Women's World Cup 2019 with hard-fought win

England's 2019 Women's World Cup opener ended in victory

England v Scotland: Women's World Cup match preview

England opened their 2019 Women's World Cup campaign with a hard-fought win over Scotland in Nice.

Expectations are high for Phil Neville's Lionesses after a successful run up to the finals including victory in the SheBelieves Cup back in March but they didn't have it all their own way against the Scots.

Nikita Parris opened the scoring from the spot before Ellen White doubled the lead just before the break. Claire Emslie grabbed one back to make it a nervy finish but Phil Neville's team got over the line to take the three points.

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Key Points

• England open World Cup with hard-fought win in Nice
• Nikita Parris scores penalty after spot kick awarded after VAR review
• Ellen White doubles England's lead with cool finish
• Claire Emslie profits from poor defending to pull one back for Scotland

[9 June 2019 16:56 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Czechia's Jana Adamkova is the referee.

[9 June 2019 16:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Sounds like neither Toni Duggan nor Demi Stokes will play a part this afternoon, while the broadcasters reckon it may be a 4-3-3 with Fran Kirby playing deeper for England.

Felix Zwayer of Germany is in the truck should VAR be required.

[9 June 2019 17:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Pensive strides round the technical area from Phil Neville. He looks a bag of nerves, to be completely honest.

Shelley Kerr takes a seat. Here we go...

[9 June 2019 17:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland get things underway.

[9 June 2019 17:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

England 0-0 Scotland, 1 minute

4-3-3 from England by the looks of things, with Fran Kirby and Jill Scott slightly further forward than Keira Walsh sitting.

Kirby makes a first forward foray down the left but can't produce a ball into the box. Goal kick.

[9 June 2019 17:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

England 0-0 Scotland, 3 minutes

A powerful header from Rachel Corsie gives Erin Cuthbert her first touch of the ball and she goes at Nicola Docherty down the right, feigning an inside move and going back down the touchline, winning a throw level with the edge of the box. 

Initially cleared, the ball is returned towards the box where Claire Emslie has taken up position, but she won't have the pace to retrieve that one.

[9 June 2019 17:04 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

England 0-0 Scotland, 4 minutes

Bright start from Scotland, this. It's a 4-2-3-1 with Kim Little supporting Erin Cuthbert from attacking midfield, Emslie right and Lisa Evans tucking in on the left.

England settle things down and Steph Houghton strides out of defence...

[9 June 2019 17:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

England 0-0 Scotland, 5 minutes

That's better from the Lionesses, working space for a stood-up cross to the far post which is headed behind.

Jill Scott's tall frame lollops threateningly through the bodies towards the delivery, but it is a Scottish head which the corner finds and the ball is cleared.

[9 June 2019 17:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

England 0-0 Scotland, 7 minutes

England do look dangerous down the right, with Nikita Parris keen to get inside and freeing space for an overlapping Lucy Bronze. Nothing comes of Bronze's fizzed cross but it looks an area of potential profit.

Bronze's forward charges leave space for Erin Cuthbert to run into but Steph Houghton is across and defuses very effectively. 

[9 June 2019 17:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

England 0-0 Scotland, 9 minutes

England are clearly keen to pass, something Phil Neville has emphasised in his time in charge, and Scotland are leaving perhaps too much space between the lines with a disorganised high press. 

It's an open game. England's back four is incredibly high. Cuthbert is constantly on the shoulder ready for a pass beyond them.