Goals from Nikita Parris and Gill Scott earned England a 2-0 victory over Denmark in their penultimate World Cup warm-up friendly, but it was far from comfortable for Phil Neville’s side.
England were below par in the opening exchanges at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium and could have been behind before Parris’ opener in first half stoppage time.
Denmark’s Signe Bruun saw a goal controversially ruled out for handball on 43 minutes. There will be use of the video assistant referee at the World Cup in France, and the technology may have allowed that to stand.
However, just moments later, England did take the lead as the impressive Scott was fouled on the edge of the box and Parris was on hand to smash home after Denmark had failed to clear Beth Mead’s free-kick.
England once again started the half slugglishly, but doubled their lead just before the hour mark Scott powered home a header form Mead’s cross after a stunning counterattack.
Given Denmark haven’t qualified for the World Cup, this should act as a wake-up call for the Lionesses with only a clash against New Zealand on Saturday remaining before their opener against Scotland on June 9 in Nice.