England’s Lionesses slogged out a 2-1 victory after an exhilarating first half to halt a charging comeback from Scotland in their World Cup opener.
It was a pair of Man City stars that clinched the win, while Manchester United's Alex Greenwood played well at left-back.
Nikita Parris opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a VAR ruling before Ellen White doubled England's lead with a calm, curled effort.
Claire Emslie then went on to make history by becoming Scotland’s first ever World Cup goalscorer in the 78th minute.
Lucy Bronze ands Parris delivered a mouth-watering feast of football for the 13,188 fans in attendance as they overpowered the right hand side of the Allianz Riviera playing field, especially in England’s dominant first-half display, showing Lyon fans a glimpse of what they can look forward to next season when Parris moves to the French giants.
The British sides showed their clear rivalry and passion from the off with a real war for possession in the middle of the park. The game looked like it could be an even contest early on.
However, 13 minutes in, VAR intervened.
Fran Kirby sprinted down the right wing and flicked in a cross that deflected off Nicola Docherty. On further inspection the ball appeared to have made contact with the defender’s outstretched arm, judged to have been held for an extended period in an unnatural position.
A penalty was awarded, and Parris confidently snatched the ball from the ground and placed it down on the penalty spot with determination, before stepping back to rifle the ball to the top left corner of the net.
England had looked certain to extend their lead just moments later as Bronze powered her way through on the overlap. The world-class right-back spun an inch-perfect cross onto the boot of White, who connected well.
But Scotland goalkeeper Lee Alexander moved with lightning-fast reaction and found herself blocking the shot just as the striker arrived.
The Lionesses gained another fantastic chance as White looked to be clean through on goal, but Alexander’s reflexes were quicker yet again. The Scotland keeper rushed out off her line as the ball bounced through, sliding quick and low to deny White a shot.
Erin Cuthbert generated Scotland’s best chance of the game after a mistake by Keira Walsh. The in-form Chelsea star dribbled through but dragged her effort just wide of the left post.
White still couldn’t get the better of Alexander on a third attempt at goal after great pressure from Jill Scott gifted the forward the ball. The No 18 broke through but curled a weak effort at the Scottish shot-stopper.
But the England striker, who joins Manchester City next season, finally got her goal five minutes before the break.
Dogged determination from Kirby regained England possession as the ball ricocheted off several Scottish shins. The recent Manchester City addition burst through and curled the ball just out of reach of Alexander.
Second half ensuing, England had the ball in the back of the net again just seconds after the second-half whistle, before it was promptly disallowed. Beth Mead received the ball from out wide and powered the ball under the Scotland shot stopper, but White was shown to have been offside in the build- up.
Scotland looked more impressive as the game grew closer to the end, and earned their first ever World Cup goal just 12 minutes from full time.
Cuthbert dribbled through the England midfield at pace before playing in Emslie on the right hand side. The Scotland wide player cushioned the ball towards the goal and struck the ball off the outstretched leg of Bronze, sending it looping over Bardsley.
After a nervy end to the game where Scotland looked dangerously close to evening the scores, England hung onto their lead and come away with a win from the World Cup opener for Group D.
