Scotland rounded off their Pinatar Cup campaign with a penalty shootout victory against Hungary, following a hard-fought goalless draw.

The Scots worked tirelessly throughout and created enough chances to win, but found the opposition defence in resilient form.

Scotland line-up against Hungary

After a gruelling match and training programme, the squad fly home tomorrow with all eyes on the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

Pedro Martinez Losa handed a debut to goalkeeper Eartha Cumings, while there was a starting spot for skipper Rachel Corsie - who has been working her way back to full fitness following a bout of COVID-19.

Scotland's attacking intent was evident from the off and typified by the lively Jane Ross.

Two minutes in she was denied the opening goal by an offside flag, then drew a smart stop from Hungarian keeper Barbara Biro three minutes later.

Biro was by far the busier of the shot-stoppers in the early exchanges, and had to be sharp to clutch a deep, dangerous cross from Nicola Docherty.

Hungary eventually managed to get a foothold in the contest, and it took a brave tackle from Jen Beattie to deny captain Henrietta Csiszar.

Scotland regained the initiative, and a creative set-piece on 36 minutes almost paid off.

Sam Kerr fed Ross, who back-heeled into the path of Weir, whose shot was blocked before Abi Harrison's follow-up was flagged offside. 

Now more of an end-to-end contest, Sophie Howard did well to head clear from a Fanni Vago free-kick in a dangerous position as the teams went into the half-time interview deadlocked.  

It was a rejigged Scotland that emerged for the second half, with Lana Clelland, Claire Emslie, Christie Murray and Lucy Graham on in place of Weir, Kirsty Hanson, Kirsty Smith and Ross.

Chloe Arthur soon followed - with Beattie withdrawn - as Scotland sought to regain the initiative. 

Harrison was next to try her luck, but could only find the side-netting with her powerful strike, while Biro was alert to get two safe hands on a threatening Clelland cross.

At the other end, Diana Csanyi blazed over when well placed to at least test Cumings.

Scotland piled on the pressure late on, with Biro again denying Clelland after a determined run and cut-back from Elmslie. 

Clelland caught the eye again with a drive into the box and intelligent lay-off to Graham, who watched on in dismay as her shot was cleared off the line before Harrison's follow-up strike was deflected behind for a corner.

With the scores locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout would decide the victors. Hungary notches first through the lively Vágó. Up stepped Claire Emslie for the first Scotland penalty – the Hungary 'keeper dove the right way, but Emslie's shot founf the back of the net.

Hungary's second spot-kick cannoned off the crossbar, with Sam Kerr firing home a terrific penalty to capitalise. Hungary's third was dragged wide, with Lana Clelland keeping her cool to notch Scotland's third. 

Up stepped Savanya for Hungary, in sudden death. Eartha Cumings produced a fantastic save to seal the victory for Scotland, receiving the congratulations of her teammates on a memorable debut.

While the team would have liked to have found a cutting edge in the 90 minutes, they'll be glad of another competitive workout at the end of an intense training camp before April's crucial double-header. 

Next Up

Scotland now move on to the all-important World Cup qualifiers.

They're scheduled to face Ukraine on April 8 before playing host to Spain four days later at Hampden. You can back the team and buy tickets for that clash here.

Team

Scotland: Cumings, Smith (Murray 46), Howard, Beattie (Arthur 66), Docherty, Kerr, Corsie, Weir (Clelland 46), Hanson (Elmslie 46), Ross (Graham 46), Harrison (Arnot 90).

Unused Substitutes: Alexander, Robertson, J. Clark, Eddie, Thomas, K. Clark.