Jodie Taylor scored a hat-trick as England opened their UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 campaign with a comprehensive 6-0 win over neighbours Scotland.
The 31-year-old put her side ahead after just 10 minutes and doubled the lead a quarter of an hour later.
Ellen White maintained her international purple patch by adding a third, before setting up Taylor for her hat-trick.
It was Taylor’s first treble for her country since she scored all three against Australia in March 2015 – and the first hat-trick at the Euro finals since 1997.
Vice-captain Jordan Nobbs made it 5-0 late on with a controlled volley from the edge of the box.
And Barcelona-bound Toni Duggan completed the rout in added time by heading home from close range.
The result means the Lionesses take early control of Group D, with Spain beating tournament debutants Portugal 2-0 earlier in the day.
England’s Euro opener had been a long time coming. Their unbeaten qualification campaign began in September 2015. They secured their finals place last summer and have been preparing ever since.
The real work began at the beginning of June when the squad met-up ahead of the friendly victory over Switzerland. They then defeated Denmark, a match which was sandwiched in between two separate training camps, one at St. George’s Park and one in Valencia.
And when the whistle went in Utrecht, Mark Sampson’s side were ready.
Karen Bardsley was alert when called into action inside 30 seconds, to tip Manchester City club mate Jane Ross’s long-range effort over the bar.
Nobbs, a menace throughout, had England’s first sight at goal but her low, left-foot shot was gathered by double centurion Gemma Fay. Just a few moments later, though, and England had the lead.
Nobbs won the ball in midfield and Lucy Bronze slipped a through ball down the centre which Fran Kirby dummied delightfully, leaving Taylor one-on-one with Fay. There was only going to be one outcome.
