{"id":1092994,"date":"2019-06-09T19:23:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-09T18:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1092994"},"modified":"2019-06-09T19:23:53","modified_gmt":"2019-06-09T18:23:53","slug":"england-scotland-five-things-learned-womens-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/england-scotland-five-things-learned-womens-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"England 2-1 Scotland: Five things learned as Parris gives Lionesses ideal start in France"},"content":{"rendered":"

England got their Women’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start thanks to a 2-1 win over rivals Scotland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nikita Parris gave England an early lead from the penalty spot before Ellen White doubled the advantage just before half-time. Claire Emslie managed to pull one back but it was not enough to prevent defeat for Scotland.<\/p>\n

But what did we learn from the game?<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7278637-klopp-must-solve-wenger-s-dilemma-to-take-liverpool-forward<\/p>\n

1. Nikita Parris x Lucy Bronze = Trouble<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There may not be a better right-sided pairing at the 2019 Women’s World Cup than Nikita Parris and Lucy Bronze.<\/p>\n

Going into the tournament, high expectations were placed on Parris, who had just had a wonderful season with Manchester City scoring 19 goals and recording six assists in 19 Women’s Super League games. The 25-year-old’s performances earned her a move to the best club team in the world, Lyon, where she will link up with Bronze after the World Cup – a worrying thought for the French team’s opponents.<\/p>\n

Speaking before the World Cup, Bronze said of Parris: \u201cWe already play together for England down the right-hand side and have a good understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is 25, the same age I was when I moved to France two summers ago and she\u2019s won so much at home with City that now she wants to win the Champions League. She knows Lyon is the best place to do that.<\/p>\n

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READ MORE:<\/span> Nikita Parris: England\u2019s No.7 can show everyone why the European history-makers just signed her<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cNikita can develop her game and be with the best players in the world. The Champions League is now the draw for players in England and her move can be good news for England too.\u201d<\/p>\n

The England pair were devastating against Scotland on Sunday, not giving their opponents a moment of rest throughout. They combined to create three chances and completed six take-ons, with Parris’ five more than any other player on the pitch.<\/p>\n

There was a short passage of play in the first half which saw both Bronze and Parris nutmeg opponents, with Erin Cuthbert and Nicola Docherty the unfortunate recipients.<\/p>\n

And when her country needed her, Parris stepped up to emphatically dispatch her penalty into the top left corner, giving Lee Alexander no chance.<\/p>\n

With these two in the side, Lyon may be looking at a fifth-consecutive Champions League.<\/p>\n

2. Ellen’s White hot<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the biggest decisions Phil Neville had to make to England’s World Cup opener was whether to start Ellen White or Jodie Taylor up front. He went with White, and the new Manchester City forward justified the faith.<\/p>\n

White was in fine form for Birmingham City over the past two years, scoring 21 goals in 26 Women’s Super League appearances for the Blues, earning her a move to Man City.<\/p>\n