England have got their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign up and running with a 2-1 victory over Scotland at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland this evening.
Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp got the goals for the Lionesses on what turned out to be a somewhat challenging night on Wearside.
England created a couple of half-chances early on but Georgia Stanway flashed a header wide before Rachel Daly saw a shot saved by visiting keeper Lee Gibson.
Scotland were unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 21st minute when Caroline Weir took aim at the England goal inside the box but Mary Earps pulled off an excellent save.
England then had the ball in the net at the other end when Daly headed home from a corner kick but the goal was disallowed for an offside directly in front of Gibson.
The Lionesses finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Katie Zelem’s cross found Bronze who headed the ball into the net.
Hemp made it 2-0 to England in the final minute of the first half. She sent a bullet header into the net following a cross from the right.
England fans will have been thinking it was game over but Scotland pulled a goal back in first half injury time through Kirsty Hanson.
Lauren James curled an effort wide of the far post early in the second half before Martha Thomas threatened the England goal with a header at the other end.
Scotland looked like the only team likely to score again and they were almost level 13 minutes from time but Hanson’s effort cannoned off the crossbar. Christy Grimshaw then took aim at goal from distance but Earps claimed the ball.
Despite having to deal with an uncomfortable second half, England held out for a narrow 2-1 victory on their UEFA Women’s Nations League debut.
England are back in UEFA Women’s Nations League action on Tuesday evening when they face The Netherlands in Utrecht.
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