England’s Jodie Taylor scored the first hat-trick at a women’s European Championship since 1997
Jodie Taylor scored a hat-trick as England produced the most convincing performance of Euro 2017 so far to thrash arch-rivals Scotland.
The Arsenal Ladies forward, who was ignored by former boss Hope Powell and had an injury-hit 2015 World Cup, made her mark in her first European Championship with two first-half goals, and added a lobbed third before she was substituted before the hour.
The Merseysider, the first senior England women’s player to score a hat-trick in a major tournament, latched on to Fran Kirby’s flick to open the scoring, then tucked in from a tight angle following a goalmouth scramble.
Ellen White scored a seventh goal in nine games when she followed up Jill Scott’s strike against the bar to make it 3-0 before half-time and, following Taylor’s third, Jordan Nobbs’ volley and Toni Duggan’s injury-time header completed the rout.
After a bright start, Scotland – who are making their debut at a major tournament and have several part-time players – were limited to chances from set-pieces.
They were outclassed by a superior England side who, at fifth in the world rankings, are 16 places above Anna Signeul’s team and lived up to their status as one of the favourites for the tournament following their third-place finish at the World Cup two years ago.
In Group D’s earlier game, Spain beat Portugal 2-0. England face the Spaniards on Sunday at 19:45 BST, after Scotland play Portugal at 17:00 BST.
BBC Sports