England 2 Scotland 1: Plenty of positives for Shelley Kerr's side despite defeat in World Cup opener

Claire Emslie celebrates scoring for Scotland

Scotland kicked off their first ever Women’s World Cup campaign with defeat to England.

But hopes of reaching the knockout stages remain high for Shelley Kerr’s side after an encouraging display against the Lionesses.

The Scots, backed by an enthusiastic support in Nice, grew into the match after initially appearing overawed by the occasion.

And if they can match the performance levels set in the second-half, they have every chance of claiming the single victory the manager believes will see them staying in France beyond the group stages.

Kerr’s side face Japan next, in Rennes, on Friday, before a clash with Argentina in Paris.

But there is no doubt that their most dangerous opponents have now been dealt with.

The Scots worked themselves a couple of half-chances early on.

But their game plan was shattered just 12 minutes in when referee Jana Adamkova was alerted to a possible penalty for England by her VAR team.

Replays showed Fran Kirby’s cross deflected off Nicola Docherty’s arm, albeit without any intent or movement towards the ball.

Under new handball rules, instigated before the Women’s World Cup, the penalty was awarded – and Nikita Parris smashed home from 12 yards to give England the lead.

In the aftermath, England’s passing game kicked into gear.

The Lionesses had the ball in the net for a second time when Ellen White’s header looped over stranded Scotland goalie Lee Alexander.

However, the assistant referee’s flag saw the play correctly called back for offside.

Scotland’s reprieve was brief.

Five minutes before half-time, Ellen White snatched England’s second goal after pouncing on a defensive Blunder from the Scots, who had failed to clear their lines.

Erin Cuthbert almost pulled a goal back before the break with an instinctive effort that ran centimetres wide of the post.

But England merited their half-time lead – and they set about extending it immediately after the restart.

With less than a minute on the clock, Beth Mead fired home after a sweeping English move, only to be denied, like White before her, by an offside flag.

There was plenty of endeavour about Scotland, with Kim Little laying down a marker for her teammates with her constant running.

But England’s quality was telling.

For the Lionesses, just being here in France isn’t enough.

They are in this tournament to win it.

Scotland’s Rachel Corsie (left) and England’s Fran Kirby (right) battle for the ball

Scotland’s ambitions are less grand – but their performance began to vastly improve as the second-half wore on.

They enjoyed their best spell of the game around the hour mark, when the hassling, harrying and flair from the likes of Claire Emslie and Erin Cuthbert, suddenly became purposeful.

Emslie’s name will go down in the history books as the first Scottish player to score at a Women’s World Cup – and how she deserved it.

After a marauding run up the right flank, she was picked out in the box by Lisa Evans, then held off the England defence before striking past Karen Bardsley with the aid of a deflection.

Hope surged in the aftermath, with England clearly rattled by the sudden precariousness of their situation.

But they held on to claim a win they hope will springboard them to glory.

ENGLAND: Bardsley; Bronze; Greenwood; Walsh; Houghton; Bright (McManus 57); Parris; Scott; Kirby; White; Mead (Carney 71). Unused subs: Telford (GK); Earps (GK); Taylor; Williamson; Moore; Daly; Stanway; Staniforth; Duggan; Stokes.

SCOTLAND: Alexander; Docherty (Smith 54); Corsie; Beattie; Little; Weir; Evans; Howard (Arthur 74); Murray (Arnot 87); Emslie; Cuthbert. Unused subs: Lynn (GK); Fife (GK); Love; Lauder; Crichton; Ross; Murray; Clelland; Brown.