Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp on target as nervy England overcome Scotland in UEFA Women's Nations League opener

England began their inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign with a nervy 2-1 win over rivals Scotland at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

Making their first appearance since defeat in the Women's World Cup final to Spain, former Sunderland player Lucy Bronze gave England the lead in the 39th minute, and Lauren Hemp made it 2-0 five minutes later.

Kirsty Hanson reduced the arrears in first-half stoppage time, but despite making England sweat for large periods of the evening, Scotland couldn’t find an equaliser.

It is a step closer to Paris 2024 for Team GB as the nominated nation - England - will qualify for the Olympics should they reach the Nations League final, or - if France make the final - come third.

England manager Sarina Wiegman had mixed emotions after the game.

"Very happy with three points, with the performance at moments I was happy, other moments I wasn't that happy because we were struggling a bit," Wiegman told ITV.

"The first half we dominated, we had moments where they could counter attack but we reduced that a bit. Second half we had problems keeping the ball and we made some decisions that made it not easy for ourselves.

"They tried to score a goal and we didn't get in the moment where we kept the ball really well and could go to their half. We kept just trying to solve problems all the time."

Scotland’s Caroline Weir tested Mary Earps with a powerful effort which the England shot-stopper did well to keep out, and the visitors also had a strong appeal for a penalty ignored with Martha Thomas going down under pressure from Millie Bright.

Rachel Daly thought she had given England the lead in the 24th minute with a fine header from Katie Zelem’s cross but the goal was chalked off for offside with Chloe Kelly adjudged to be offside.

But England had lift-off with two goals in six minutes with Bronze finally breaking the deadlock, the Barcelona star heading in a cross from Zelem.

Hemp doubled the home side’s advantage with another impressive header as Daly provided the assist.

Scotland would have the final say of the half as Hanson gave Scotland a way back in stoppage-time when she poked the ball past Earps following a mistake in the England defence.

Their belief grew in the second half and with England becoming more ragged following a switch to a back three, chances began to come their way.

Hanson conjured up the best, clipping the bar with a volley from the edge of the box before Christy Grimshaw scuffed a shot straight at Earps.

Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa was pleased with his side's display.

"We competed at the same level as England overall. A draw could have been perfectly possible," he told ITV. "We came here to win and we showed we could do it. We competed at a very high level. I am very proud of my team.

"Part of the plan tactically, we knew England would attack. Once we were comfortable on the ball and growing in the game we started believing and grew in the game second half. We wanted to come and compete in the Nations League and develop as a team."

Victory puts England on three points in the four-team group A1 along with Belgium, who beat the Netherlands 2-1. England play the Dutch on Tuesday, while Scotland play Belgium.

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