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.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

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 16:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Two games have already been completed today and it's been a lively afternoon of action.

Australia and Italy began their World Cup campaigns with an entertaining contest decided by virtually the final kick, Barbara Bonansea snatching a surprise victory for the Italians with a 95th minute winner.

There were no such issues for Brazil, who comprehensively swept aside Jamaica 3-0 behind Cristiane's hat-trick.

[9 June 2019 16:36 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[9 June 2019 16:42 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[9 June 2019 16:44 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Just about 15 minutes to go until it all gets underway, and the rather pleasant Allianz Riviera is just starting to fill-up, though there are rather worrying swathes of empty seats all around the home of OGC Nice.

[9 June 2019 16:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

The early impressions are that Scotland have, of course, travelled well, and in great number. There was some chatter that plenty of football fans north of Hadrian's Wall see this as an excellent opportunity to experience a World Cup.

The Saltires are fluttering in the breeze. They've got a real shot this afternoon, you know. It looks like it may be 4-2-3-1, perhaps morphing into more of a 4-5-1 defensively, for Shelley Kerr's side as well.

[9 June 2019 16:53 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland won't be unfamiliar for England, with plenty in the Scottish ranks plying their trade south of the border in the Women's Super League.

The players are in the tunnel, and here they come...

[9 June 2019 16:54 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Firm of face, out they stride, taking in the atmosphere, waves to the crowd as they assemble for the anthems.

[9 June 2019 16:54 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

"God Save The Queen" first. Typically dreary, despite valiant singing attempts from the England players.

[9 June 2019 16:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Phil Neville has a waistcoat on, by the way.

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

Bagpipes and drums, and a healthier chorus from the crowd for "Flower of Scotland." Hardly Murrayfield mid-February, but the anthem battle goes Scotland's way, for whatever it's worth.