Scotland slump to fourth defeat in five games

WORLD Cup qualifying can’t start soon enough for Scotland after their disastrous Euro 2022 campaign ended with a fourth defeat in five games. After being seeded to win

Group E they finished ten points behind Finland and seven behind Portugal.

The latest loss to Portugal in Larnaca – the game was moved there because of travel restrictions – was a reminder of the previous three. Scotland dominated the possession but were undermined by poor finishing and defensive lapses.

Interim head coach Stuart McLaren, who came in for the last two games after Shelley Kerr stood down in December, seemed to have improved matters when Scotland beat Cyprus 10-0 on Friday, but will now go back to his regular job of managing the men’s Under-16 side.

“I’ve enjoyed the experience,” he said. “I’ll go back to the day job unless something really changes.”

Portugal went ahead totally against the run of play after 27 minutes. It was a bad moment for Jenna Fife, making her first start in a qualifier at the expense of Lee Alexander.

The Rangers goalkeeper took a heavy touch from a Rachel Corsie pass back which could have been better directed, but Ana Caputa moved decisively to block Fife’s clearance and was rewarded when the ball cannoned off her boot and into the net.

Scotland didn’t have much of a response and were punished for a second time in time added on at the end of the second-half. Again, slack defensive play from Corsie and Jen Beattie led to the ball landing at the feet of Fatima Pinto and she finished clinically to ensure the win.