Defeat at Hampden as Spain Punish Scotland

Scotland suffered a second defeat to Spain as the battle to qualify for the women’s World Cup continues in front of a record-breaking crowd at Hampden. Head coach Pedro Martinez Losa made five changes from Scotland’s last match against Hungary in the Pinatar Cup, with Lisa Evans and Erin Cuthbert returning from injury. Claire Emslie, Lee Alexander, and Martha Thomas also made it into the starting 11.

Spain opened the scoring via a penalty less than 15 minutes into the match. They doubled their lead on the 78th minute thanks to Jennifer Hermoso. They originally scored a second goal in the 35th minute as Ballon D’or winner Alexia Putellas headed the ball into the net via the crossbar, but the goal was knocked off for being offside.

Scotland thought they had found a golden ticket with an equaliser when Martha Thomas met a Cuthbert through ball and swerved past the goalkeeper before firing the ball into the net, but the midfielder was deemed to have drifted offside by the official in a very close call.

Hermoso played an ingenious one-two with Putellas before firing a right-footed shot high into the net past Alexander as Scotland’s hopes of potentially winning or getting their equaliser died. Despite Spain dominating possession and shots at goal, Scotland’s defending kept their heads above water and was a massive improvement from the side’s last meeting where Spain won 8-0.

The Scotland fans brought the noise the team needed as the crowd of young female fans were able to watch their heroes perform in a spectacular display of footballing ability. Despite the loss Scotland are still more than able to qualify and should be extremely proud of themselves.

Claire Emslie had this to say after the match: