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
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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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England 2-1 Scotland, 87 minutes
Christie Murray has run herself into the ground, and it is a weary jog from the pitch as Lizzie Arnot replaces her.
England 2-1 Scotland, 89 minutes
Still time for Scotland to get another, but the fire and fury has gone a little.
Alex Greenwood makes a timely intervention at left-back. She's been very, very stout down that channel all evening.
A throw-in gives England opportunity to waste yet more time.
England 2-1 Scotland, 90 + 1 minutes
Erin Cuthbert puffs her cheeks as she raps Lucy Bronze on the shins. A painful one for the right-back.
Cuthbert hasn't seen anywhere near enough of the ball, even as Scotland have built in this second half. Work to do for Shelley Kerr to get the best out of her star forward.
England 2-1 Scotland, 90 + 2 minutes
An ambitious attempt from Georgia Stanway from all of 30 yards, her body shape wrong for an effort but have a go she does nonetheless, aiming for the far corner with the side of her foot.
It is beautifully struck and Lee Alexander is concerned, but that body shape is crucial as it means the curl of the ball takes it away from goal rather than towards the corner, and in the end it sails relatively comfortably wide.
England 2-1 Scotland, 90 + 3 minutes
England give the ball way in the final third as they look to find Karen Carney on the left. This'll be Scotland's final opportunity...
But they run out of time before they can mount a final challenge, and the three points are England's!
For 60 minutes or so, it looked very comfortable for England. They were in control of possession and game after two first-half goals, and Scotland were struggling to take the game to them.
But Shelley Kerr's side grew and grew, particularly in midfield, and began to threaten with more regularity, notching a deserved goal of their own through Claire Emslie to worry England, who looked nervy and were playing for time in the last 15 minutes.
Still, a win and three points for the Lionesses, and a good start to their World Cup campaign.
Nikita Parris and Lucy Bronze were magnificent in the first half for Phil Neville's England team in a vibrant attacking showing, but he'll be concerned over how fatigued the team looked down the stretch.
Alex Scott, on post-match punditry duties, makes the point that most of the England team are coming off a long season in the WSL. They'll need to be better should they make the latter stages of the tournament. But they've avoided the banana skin, and move on.
Looks like Neville is giving them a right talking to on the pitch after the game. He isn't happy.
That'll be all from us here this evening. A heartening performance for Scotland with Argentina and Japan to come. If they can build on that second half showing, both of those games are winnable.
Phil Neville is not happy, and says the blame lies largely on his shoulders, urging himself on. England will have to improve against Argentina on Friday, and may well be without Millie Bright, who is being assessed by the team medical staff after an apparent shoulder injury.
I've been Harry Latham-Coyle for The Independent - thank you for joining me.
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