Live coverage as England open their 2019 Women’s World Cup campaign against 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. They won’t have it all their own way against the Scots, however, who will also want to start the tournament in the best possible fashion with all three points against their old rivals.
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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.
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!
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 + 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 minutes
Four added minutes.
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.
SUBS
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.
SUBS
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.
England 2-1 Scotland, 81 minutes
England are playing for time and looking a little leggy. Scotland suddenly have some momentum.
GOAL!
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.
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.
SUBS
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.
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.
SUBS
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.
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.
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.
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.
England 2-0 Scotland, 64 minutes
Kirsty Smith has been very much thrown into the fire up against Nikita Parris at left-back, but has began well in that regard, standing off the England winger and asking her to do something special. Parris finds no change with her latest shimmy attempt.
England 2-0 Scotland, 62 minutes
Kim Little is starting to purr, finding space in and amongst the England midfield with Keira Walsh left a little isolated in midfield.
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What time does it start?
The game kicks-off on Sunday 9 June at 5pm BST.
Where can I watch it?
You can watch the match live on BBC One.