England 2-1 Scotland: Player ratings as Lionesses edge Women's Nations League opener
From Stadium of Light — England kicked off their Nations League campaign with a battling 2-1 win over Scotland thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp.
Sarina Wiegman's side were in action for the first time since their World Cup final defeat to Spain last month, and their performance was far from perfect against a dogged Scotland side that stayed in the game after Kirsty Hanson's goal just before half-time.
England started the night in spritely fashion going forward but a defensive error gifted Caroline Weir an early opportunity to score — Mary Earps coming to the rescue after saving the Real Madrid midfielder's shot from close range.
Rachel Daly had the ball in the back of the net following an England corner, but the goal was ruled offside due to Chloe Kelly obstructing Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson's view.
The breakthrough came through Bronze after Martha Thomas was denied a penalty at the other end following a shove from skipper Millie Bright — the Barcelona full-back heading Katie Zelem's teasing cross into the back of the net.
Hemp doubled England's advantage with another header, courtesy of Daly's cross, but the impressive Hanson, who was a thorn in Bronze's side all night, capitalised on more sloppy defending to deflect the ball in off Earps' post just before the break.
The game's high octane pace dropped during the second half, but Hanson did come close to levelling the scores as she rattled the crossbar.
Lauren James had a second goal ruled out for England — replays suggested the goal should have stood after an incorrect offside call — but Bronze and Hemp's strikes were just enough to get Wiegman's Women's Nations League campaign off to the perfect star. The Netherlands await on Tuesday having lost their
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