England Women 0 – 0 Scotland Women

Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp scored within the first half as England edged to a 2-1 win in opposition to a powerful Scotland of their inaugural Nations League tie.

Thirty-three days on from their heartbreak within the World Cup remaining, the Lionesses have been again in motion on the Stadium of Light, taking over a Scotland facet that have been unbeaten of their final six outings.

Rachel Daly thought she had put England forward, however the aim was dominated out after Chloe Kelly was adjudged to have been offside. With no VAR, the choice couldn’t be reviewed.

Two quickfire headers from Bronze (39) – with a touch of offside for her aim – and Hemp (45) noticed England right into a seemingly commanding lead.

There was a remaining twist to return within the half, nonetheless, as Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson (45+1) poked house Scotland’s reply.

The guests have been the much better facet within the second half. Hanson hit the crossbar as Scotland probed for an equaliser, whereas Tottenham’s Deadline Day signing Martha Thomas additionally impressed. In reality, a lot of the squad gave England a troublesome take a look at as head coach Pedro Martinez Losa continues to hone the expertise at his disposal.

Ultimately, the Lionesses have been fortunate to return away with three factors in Group A1. They head to the Netherlands on Tuesday for his or her subsequent Nations League recreation – the Dutch have been crushed 2-1 by Belgium of their opener.

How England edged to victory

England started brightly in Sunderland. After a string of close to misses, they thought they’d gone forward within the twenty fifth minute as Daly nodded house from a Katie Zelem nook. However, the referee quickly signalled that it was to be dominated out for offside, though it was initially thought to have been due to Kelly’s obstruction of the goalkeeper.

Scotland reacted properly to the incident, and made England work on the again on multiple event. But, quickly, a fast pair of headers noticed England right into a 2-0 lead.

The first aim got here after a visionary cross from Zelem picked out the run of Bronze on the fitting of the realm. It was then a leaping header from the Barcelona full-again that rifled into the again of the online.

Hemp scored England’s second in related vogue. Daly took benefit of a lax cross from Rachel McLauchlan in midfield earlier than sending a cross via the 18-yard field. The Man City winger then pinged the ball house with a robust header.

But Scotland hit again instantly. Claire Emslie despatched her cross via the legs of Alex Greenwood, with Hanson incoming to poke the ball previous Mary Earps via a melee of our bodies within the six-yard field.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half have been a quieter affair. Lauren James curled an effort simply vast for England, whereas Hanson and Thomas examined England on the again.

The former Manchester Untied duo continued to terrorise the Lionesses with Scotland the higher facet within the second half. Hanson nearly equalised for the guests too, however a rebound off her shin pinged off the highest of the crossbar. It got here after Earps was pressured to punch away a harmful cross from McLauchlan.

Lisa Evans tried her luck too late on, however her lashed effort was straight at Earps. There was an unlucky finish to the sport for Hanson too as she went off with an harm, as England held on for the victory.

Bronze: Scotland aim earlier than HT modified momentum

England defender Lucy Bronze chatting with ITV Sport:

“Scotland scoring just before half-time changed the momentum of the game. Right until the end they were creating chances, but I think first half we did enough.

“We have been by far the higher crew within the first half – the second was extra even. We made errors, and so they gained confidence from scoring.

“A couple of sloppy passes on our behalf let them back into the game.”

What’s subsequent?

England are subsequent in motion on Tuesday as they journey to face the Netherlands; kick off 7pm. Scotland are additionally in motion on the identical day, going through Belgium; kick-off 7.45pm.