Nations League: Scotland show spark but Netherlands dominate in narrow win | OneFootball

Scotland stepped up after a dismal opening Nations League performance against Austria, yet a first half goal wasn’t enough to hold off a lively Netherlands side. The clash ended 2-1 in favour of the Dutch at Hampden Park.

For Scotland, there was a fraction more energy than their previous lacklustre displays. Though the defence was chaotic throughout, there was life in the home side with a desire to go toe-to-toe. On the other hand, the Dutch lacked precision in front of goal with just two goals to show for their 18 shots. Nevertheless, their technical skill and possession led to a rather one-sided affair.

Starting XIs

Scotland

Gibson; Lawton, Eddie, Howard, Weir ©, Hanson, Adams, McLauchlan, Clark, Maclean, Davidson

Finland

Van Domselaar; Roord, Beerensteyn, Spitse ©, Miedema, Brugts, Grant, Groenen, Casparij, Kaptein, Janssen

Netherlands dominate yet Scotland lead

It took the Netherlands just six minutes to set Scotland fans on edge. A soft shot from Jill Roord rolled wide of the post, but cracks in the home side’s defence were already on show. Lee Gibson was forced into a save from a Vivianne Miedema header in the 11th minute. By the 20 minute mark, the writing seemed to be on the wall.

The visitors dominated the first half, cutting Scotland open time and time again. Meanwhile, the Tartan Army showed fight in one-to-ones and had chances to break, but technical errors and slack passes led to the Oranje breaking through their backline. The Netherlands showed lack of precision in front of goal, with Chasity Grant and Lineth Beerensteyn both missing the back of the net in what felt like sure-fire opportunities. After 25 minutes, the Dutch had taken seven shots on target. Scotland? None.

Yet the hosts persisted, both with their repetitive and largely unanswered fan chants, and with the game. A Lauren Davidson corner fell to Rachel McLauchlan, whose weak shot seemed like a riotous fumble. Instead, the ball fell to Eilidh Adams, who sent it to Celtic defender Emma Lawton. Two steps and a right-footed rocket put the hosts 1-0 up in the 34th minute. By some miracle, with 25 percent possession and three shots to the Netherlands’ ten, Scotland held on until half-time.

Embed from Getty Images

Star strikers show class for the Dutch

More of the same in the second. Gibson proved her metal with a solid save, giving the visitors a corner, but the Esmee Brugts header flew wide of goal.

In the 54th minute, Wolfsburg’s Beerensteyn went solo and carved through four Scotland players before beating Gibson in goal to bring the score level. Miedema had a go in the 63rd minute too, but it flew just over the bar. Seconds later, the two strikers threaded in and out of the Scottish defence, with Miedema finding herself right next to the goalpost to tap the ball across to Grant who sealed the deal.

Scotland were rattled, saved by the goalpost when Beerensteyn was allowed enough time to line up her shot minutes later. Interim Scotland boss McArdle called in the cavalry by way of Claire Emslie, Martha Thomas and Freya Godfrey, but it was to no avail. The visitors took home three points, yet Scotland showed a spark rarely seen in navy blue.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: