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

#3 The right side will be key for England going forward

Nikita Parris's understanding on the right flank with Lucy Bronze will be key to any England success

In tournaments like the World Cup, players who receive a lot of pre-tournament hype often end up failing to live up to the bill, while others who come in flying under the radar end up rising to prominence.

Two England players who were really being pushed by the media coming into this tournament were right-back Lucy Bronze and winger Nikita Parris – and thankfully for England fans, both women lived up to the hype.

England attacked with verve and vigour throughout the first half and the majority of their attacks came down the right flank, with Bronze and Parris working together to absolutely torment Scotland’s left-back Nicola Docherty, who had a torrid time and was even nutmegged by Parris at one point. The fact that she was the player to give away the penalty only made things worse for her.

Things slowed down for the Lionesses down the right flank in the second half – particularly after the luckless Docherty was substituted – but it’s clear that the partnership between Bronze and Parris will be key to any success that England might have going forward, and England boss Phil Neville would do well to pick up on their almost telepathic understanding.