UEFA Women’s Nations League
England 2-1 Scotland
Friday, 22 September 2023
Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Scorers

England: Bronze (39), Hemp (45).
Scotland: Hanson (45). 

Team News

Pedro Martinez Losa - fresh from agreeing an extended contract to remain in charge of the national team - made four changes to the team that won 2-1 in Finland back in July.

Experienced quartet Christy Grimshaw, Claire Emslie, captain Rachel Corsie and Martha Thomas were all restored to the starting line-up.

Fiona Brown and Lauren Davidson dropped to the bench, while Emma Watson and Erin Cuthbert missed out through injury.

It was a landmark occasion for Sophie Howard, who picked up her 40th cap on the night of Scotland's first involvement in the new UEFA Women's Nations League.

Scotland line up at the Stadium of Light

As It Happened

Around 1000 dedicated Scotland supporters made the trip to Sunderland's sold-out Stadium of Light, with the Scots looking to build on a six-game unbeaten run.

England were back in action for the first time since losing the FIFA Women's World Cup Final to Spain.

The hosts enjoyed the bulk of possession in the early stages, but a dogged, disciplined Scotland side stuck to their task.

The first real sight of goal came after 12 minutes, when Grimshaw's low cross for Thomas was scrambled clear.

At the other end, Sam Kerr did well to block a dangerous cross after some fine build-up play from Lucy Bronze.

With 21 minutes on the clock Scotland came within an inch of taking the lead, with only a stunning save from Mary Earps denying Caroline Weir's thunderous strike. 

Three minutes later England thought they'd edged in front, but Rachel Daly's headed 'goal' was flagged offside.

Scotland tried to capitalise, with Thomas just failing to connect with a driven Kirsty Hanson cross.

There were strong appeals for a penalty on 36 minutes when Millie Bright appeared to shove Thomas - who required treatment for the head knock sustained in the collision.

It proved a decisive moment as England surged in front, with Katie Zelem's pinpoint cross headed home by Bronze.

Clinical England made it two with another fine header, this time Lauren Hemp diverting in from Daly's delivery.

It would have been easy for Scotland heads to dip heading into half-time, but they quickly rallied and reduced the deficit before the interval with the last kick of the half.

England lost the ball in a dangerous area and Emslie took full advantage, with a teasing ball across the box that Hanson seized on. Earps looked on in horror as the ball spun beyond her and into the net.

Emslie picked up where she left off on 52 minutes, with another good ball in from out wide that Bright did well to clear.

English frustrations grew, forcing them into a change of personnel and formation as Scotland grew in confidence on the ball.

The hosts did have their moments. A backheel from substitute Ella Toone found Bronze, whose cross was only cleared into the path of Lauren James - whose volley sailed over the bar.

With 15 minutes left Hanson piled on the pressure again, with a great ball in that Alex Greenwood did equally well to head away with Emslie lurking.

Hanson looked to be on a mission and came even closer to levelling. Rachel McLauchlan's cross was punched clear by Earps as far as Hanson - who watched in dismay as her volley clipped the bar.

Scotland shuffled the pack late on, with Amy Gallacher handed her debut - pitched in alongside Lisa Evans in place of Emslie and Thomas in search of a deserved equaliser. Fiona Brown was also introduced for McLauchlan.

Grimshaw drew another save from Earps after a smart Evans cut-back, but it wasn't to be for the Scots - who left Sunderland with no points but with heads held high after a spirited showing.

Next Up

We are back in action in the UEFA Women's Nations League on Tuesday night, when Belgium come calling to Hampden Park (7.45pm kick-off).

Click here to secure your tickets for the big game now.

Teams

England: Earps, Carter, Bright, Greenwood, Bronze, Stanway, Zelem, James, Kelly (Toone 59), Daly, Hemp. Unused substitutes: Hampton, Roebuck, Nobbs, Morgan, Charles, Coombs, Parker, Park, Le Tissier, Robinson, Staniforth.

Scotland: Gibson, McLauchlan (Brown 88), Howard, Corsie, Docherty, Grimshaw, Kerr, Weir, Emslie (Evans 83), Thomas (Gallacher 83), Hanson (Davidson 90). Unused substitutes: Fife, Cumings, Makandi, Maclean, Clark, Rodgers, Napier.