Laura Bassett
Former England defender on BBC Two

Jordan Nobbs is showing for the ball from the defence, which offers Beth England more space to occupy, or she's running in behind (Japan's defence) and supporting the forwards so she's definitely been lively in there, making things happen.

Nobbs has been England's best player for me. It's great to see her back to full fitness.

I wonder whether Neville will turn to some more of his youngsters in the second half. Grace Fisk, Alessia Russo and Sandy MacIver will all be hoping to get on for a debut.

Laura Bassett
Former England defender on BBC Two

England's front three have been looking to play each other in and Jordan Nobbs, from midfield, has been busting a gut to join them. It feels like we're going central, going direct, and there are three or four players in the picture.

Japan have had their moments too. Hina Sugita hit the post early on and Ellie Roebuck palmed this effort behind...

Laura Bassett
Former England defender on BBC Two

It's been a really open game, both teams are in it. We've had two one-on-ones, and in international football, you have to be ruthless.

It's a positive that we're creating chances but we're a top team now and we need to be taking those chances.

These are the decent chances England have had. They should really have taken at least one of them but, as Emma says, the positive is the Lionesses are creating the openings.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena, New Jersey

Much better from England in terms of the performance but still lots of missed chances.

Bethany England, given an opportunity today ahead of Ellen White, has missed a few big chances, and so has Lauren Hemp.

But they are creating them. And that's a big positive for the young players.

Image source, BBC Sport

There goes the half-time whistle.

There hasn't been a lot in it but England have probably had the clearer chances.

It hasn't been a classic.

Japan are having to make the change after that nasty fall for Shimizu. Jun Endo replaces her which might mean a tactical tweak for 2011 world champions.

Neville is back to belting out orders from his technical area with the game back under way. Not long to go until half-time.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena, New Jersey

There was a brief break in play as Japan's Risa Shimizu received treatment and England took the opportunity to come together and talk through a few things.

Interestingly, Phil Neville went straight to Millie Bright and Steph Houghton. They have been caught out a few times by the long ball and need to get tighter.

Image source, BBC Sport

Japan defender Risa Shimizu looks to have done some damage to her right ankle in a tussle with Chloe Kelly. Shimizu is stretchered off but clearly wants to carry on. She gets up, wanting to give it a go before taking a seat back behind the byline.

There was a question whether Ellie Roebuck got a hand on a Japanese effort earlier in the game but she's definitely palmed this one behind. It's Tanaka again who causes England a problem. Her effort may have been sneaking wide but Roebuck wanted to make sure.

Mina Tanaka slaps the floor in frustration after just failing to get on the end of a lovely floated ball. Tanaka had got between the two England centre-backs and any touch would have been tough to deal with for Ellie Roebuck in the England goal.

Sue Smith
Former England forward on BBC Two

What a lovely touch by Jordan Nobbs, but she doesn't just admire it, she continues her run forward and it's her ball into Beth England.

It's good movement. This time Beth England stays onside but, again, can't quite get it either side of the goalkeeper. It's coming though.

England come within a whisker of one of the great team goals. The move begins with an outrageous backheeled-volley pass from Arsenal midfielder Nobbs before Bethany England is played in again. England takes it early but Sakiko Ikeda saves well low down.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena, New Jersey

Chloe Kelly is starting to get into the game more. There were a few cheers of excitement when she got the ball then, running at the full-back confidently. She looked a little nervous to begin with but is definitely more settled now.

Millie Bright gets her head on the set-piece and the Lionesses clear. There hasn't been a lot of the crowd to get their teeth into since the early chances.

This was a big opening for Bethany England...

Corner to Japan...

Sue Smith
Former England forward on BBC Two

There's so much space either in the channels or in behind. When the ball's played back it's those runners, particularly from midfield, that can get in.

I'm all for playing nice football and playing through the thirds but sometimes you can turn the opposition round just like that.