England vs Scotland LIVE: Women’s Nations League result, final score and reaction as Lionesses win

Herein lies the formula for a high-performing England team. Release the shackles, dole out the confidence, then sit back and marvel at the beast of the Lionesses without limits. There were no concerns about keeping tournament hopes alive; no headaches over managing minutes; no tactical frameworks to devise on the fly; just a chance for the Lionesses to show what they can do best.

And that is exactly what England accomplished. Scotland were far from pushovers but were thoroughly outclassed on Friday night. With an enthusiastic Sunderland crowd providing the backing and an evidently more polished shape on their side, England exuded confidence. Raw, unadulterated confidence.

From the off it was as if that was all that mattered. Georgia Stanway sized up Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson whenever the ball dropped towards her feet outside the area, Chloe Kelly went on her customary weaving runs, Lauren James – with her usual precision and air of nonchalance – was finally free to toy with opponents once again. Even Lucy Bronze, usually a straight edge, was inspired to try and backheel it through the visitors’ defence.

The danger of working at the disposal of a master conductor like Sarina Wiegman had always been that glimpses of individual brilliance were better left repressed than taking risks which may have been to the detriment of the team. Just follow the plan and have faith that results will ensue.

Full report from the Stadium of Light:

England manager Sarina Wiegman to ITV:

“We were struggling a little bit second half. First half we dominated and moments we let them counter attack. But after we had problems to keep the ball and made decisions which made it not easy for ourselves.

“We didn’t get a decent moment where we kept the ball really well.

“I was very surprised the [Daly] goal got cancelled, at some point I’ll look at it but I’m not really sure what the decision was.

“Both goals were really good, we worked on them at the World Cup - perfect pass, perfect timing, perfect header.

“At 2-0 and one minute before half time we didn’t make it easy. It would have been easier at half-time with a 2-0 win and that’s exactly what it should have been.

“I think Nations League is really good, you want competitive games and that’s what we have. In World Cup qualification sometimes the difference is so big; sport is that you shouldn’t know ahead of the gameif you win.”

Lucy Bronze speaks on the 2-1 win to ITV:

“Them getting the goal right before half time changed the momentum of the game and right until the end they were creating chances.

“First half we were by far the better team but it shifted second half.

“They looked shaky at the beginning and we were confident but some sloppy passes let them back in it.

“The goal was something we worked on in the World Cup but it never came off! We saved it for tonight.”

There’s the final whistle and England start their Women’s Nations League campaign with a victory and three points, but it was far from convincing from the World Cup finalists.

Scotland battled hard but just lacked the final-third fortune or quality to really trouble Mary Earps often enough.

Into the final seconds and it doesn’t look as though Scotland are going to get the one big chance they’d have hoped for. England standing relatively firm, if totally uninspiring from an attacking perspective. James runs through on goal and heads in the rebound after her initial shot is saved, but she was flagged offside very early on.

Doesn’t really look as though she was, but there’s no VAR here. 2-1 and on we go into the last chance for Scotland, a free-kick to whack forward and see if they get a bounce...they don’t.

Hanson needing treatment now as we head into the final minute. Looks in a bit of pain.

No big, clear chances for the Scots to equalise despite a really below-par second half from England. How much stoppage time will we get? Lauren Davidson comes on for Hanson, who can’t shake off that injury.

Three minutes added on.

Zelem loses the ball and a quick break sees three in the attack which Weir leads - the shot is eventually from the edge of the box but Evans can’t get power on it and Earps saves. Time running out for the Scots, the home side simply hanging on now.

Double sub for Scotland. Here comes Gallacher for Thomas and Emslie is replaced by Evans.

In the other game in this group, Belgium have taken a 2-1 lead over Netherlands - they started earlier there, so almost finished.

Hanson sends a brilliant ball over to the back post - equally brilliant defensive work from Greenwood to knock it away.

Next attack sees Earps punch away a cross and Hanson meets it full on the volley - and hits the crossbar! So close to an equaliser for Scotland.

Daly looks to send England back on the attack down the left but Scotland have enough back to clear and Stanway’s eventual shot is weak and saved.

Zelem and Bronze get the ball into the Scotland box now but as Daly knocks it down, James is off-balance and swipes the ball over.

First effort in a while for the Lionesses, who still lead 2-1.

We’re heading into the final 15 minutes.