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As it happenedended

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

Mark Critchley
Nice
,Harry Latham-Coyle
Sunday 09 June 2019 18:55 BST
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England v Scotland: Women's World Cup match preview

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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 2-0 Scotland, 67 minutes

Hello.

Caroline Weir curls a left-footed corner from the right to the far post where Karen Bardsley has to palm over the top.

That's Scotland's best effort so far, arguably. 

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:25

​England are in control in Nice, dealing with the threat of Erin Cuthbert particularly well and shutting the game down with a two goal lead.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:27

England 2-0 Scotland, 70 minutes

Crucial save!

Jill Scott meets a corner and Ellen White is on to the second ball, hooking towards goal from low down and forcing Lee Alexander into a sharp save.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:28

England 2-0 Scotland, 71 minutes

Cap number 141, World Cup number four for Karen Carney, on to guide with all her experience as England navigate these last 20 minutes.

Beth Mead's day is done.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:29

England 2-0 Scotland, 73 minutes

It hasn't quite happened for Fran Kirby today.

She carries the ball forward and space opens for a pass as Ellen White moves intelligently, but Kirby fails to spot White's incision, and plays a blind reverse pass which doesn't come off. 

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:31

England 2-0 Scotland, 74 minutes

A second change from Shelley Kerr and, as a mark of how England have used a width, it is again a full-back replaced. 

Sophie Howard has played well. Chloe Arthur steps in at right-back.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:33

England 2-0 Scotland, 76 minutes

Scotland's brightest spell, this.

From left-to-right and back again crosses come, but they are all lacking in real quality, underlined by Claire Elmslie's final curled attempt, too high, too far, too wide, goal kick.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:34

GOAL! England 2-1 Scotland, (Beth Elmslie, 78 minutes)

Cat. Pigeons. Amongst them. Beth Elmslie scores!

Lisa Evans drives at the England defence and the ball breaks across to Beth Elmslie, who miscontrols but has just about enough space to stab goalwards, a flick off of a diving Abbie McManus hoping to block taking it beyond Karen Bardsley and into the back of the net.

Still plenty of time left.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:36

England 2-1 Scotland, 81 minutes

England are playing for time and looking a little leggy. Scotland suddenly have some momentum.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:38

England 2-1 Scotland, 82 minutes

A first World Cup appearance for rising star Georgia Stanway, PFA Young Player of the Year this season and reportedly very, very close to starting this evening.

Fran Kirby is replaced. Not her best performance.

Harry Latham-Coyle9 June 2019 18:40

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