Scotland edged out as England get helping hand from VAR

Scotland lost out to England in the Women's World Cup campaign going down 2-1 in Nice.

Published 9th Jun 2019

In front of a crowd of 13,188 at the Allianz Riviera, Nikita Parris put the Lionesses ahead with a 14th-minute penalty awarded for handball via VAR and Ellen White's curled finish made it 2-0 in the 40th minute.

Having looked very much in control for most of the game, Phil Neville's team, who were denied by some fine Lee Alexander saves and had two efforts chalked off for offside, then endured a nervy finale after Claire Emslie pulled a goal back with 11 minutes remaining.

While Scotland could not save themselves from defeat, they will take heart from their efforts in their first Women's World Cup finals appearance, two years after being thrashed 6-0 by England in the last meeting, at Euro 2017.

The teams next play on Friday when Shelley Kerr's Scotland face Japan in Rennes before England take on Argentina in Le Havre.