FIFA Women's World Cup: England 2-1 Scotland, 5 talking points

#2 England’s first-half performance was phenomenal

Ellen White scored England's second with a left-footed finish

Despite their somewhat controversial first goal, only a blind man would’ve claimed that England’s lead going into half-time was undeserved. The Lionesses simply dominated Scotland in the first 45 minutes of the game, and if anything a 2-0 lead was flattering to Shelley Kerr’s side, who looked completely overwhelmed by their opponents.

Scotland’s defence was completely pinned back, England’s players whizzed the ball between themselves with serious attacking verve – enjoying 70% of the possession by the midway point of the half – and it looked like the game would become a mismatch, just as the gap between the sides in the current FIFA rankings, with England at #3 and Scotland at #20 might suggest.

The only issue for England appeared to be a tendency – like Arsene Wenger-era Arsenal - to attempt to pass the ball into the net rather than look for more simple, but clinical, finishes once a sight of goal became clear.

That wasn’t the case with Ellen White’s goal though, as Fran Kirby caught Rachel Corsie in possession and slid the ball through to White, who finished brilliantly – and gave England the commanding lead that their performance deserved.