Erin Cuthbert and Scotland lost their debut FIFA Women’s World Cup match against England last night and the Chelsea player explained the VAR decision which led to England’s opening goal knocked Scotland off their stride.

In a highly competitive encounter that finished 2-1 in Nice, the penalty was scored by Lyon’s Nikita Parris after just 14 minutes. The spot-kick decision came when Chelsea striker Fran Kirby crossed a ball into the box which knocked the arm of Nicola Doherty.

‘We had a good start and I think we're really unlucky with the VAR decision - it's knocked the wind out of our sails,’ forward Cuthbert told the BBC.

‘But, if you put your hands up, you always leave yourself with a risk. These things happen in football. We were on the front foot and had comfortable possession. They then have the momentum - we need to find a way to react to these moments.

‘Playing with VAR was different, interesting, disappointing when it went to VAR with handball.’

Highlights of the game can be viewed on YouTube

While England, who are ranked third in the world were favourites to win the match, Scotland gave them a scare in the second half and pulled one goal back in the later stages of the game courtesy of Orlando Pride’s Claire Emslie.

Chelsea’s Player of the Year admitted Scotland had given their opposition too much respect.

‘We can't let our heads go down like that and let it get to half-time and then regroup. At 2-0 to the team ranked third in the world, we left ourselves with a hard task in the second half,’ she said.

‘It has to be done quicker because, at this top level, teams will punish you for not being at your most confident and absolute best.

‘The second half, we regrouped, put them under a lot more pressure and stress.’The 20-year-old troubled the Lionesses defence and had chances herself – she insists that her side have a lot to be positive about.

‘We have to take the positives in terms of how we deal with our attacking play, how we deal with the build-up.

‘And how we cope with pressure because there's going to be hard moments in these games. The VAR decision was one of them.’

Cuthbert and Scotland’s next Group D match is against Japan in Rennes on Friday and then they play Argentina five days later in the French capital, Paris.

- Follow our players in France via our special Pride of London. Worldwide show