FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifiers
Spain v Scotland
Tuesday, 30 November 2021, kick-off 8pm (UK time)
Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, Seville
On Tuesday night, Scotland face group leaders Spain in the surroundings of 60,000 seater stadium, Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla. A host stadium for EURO 2020, the venue will also go down in Scottish football folklore after hosting Celtic against Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s side remain unbeaten in the campaign thanks to Abi Harrison’s last minute goal against Ukraine on Friday night at Hampden Park. Spain go into the match on a high after defeating Faroe Islands 12-0, meaning they have won their last 15 matches without conceding a goal. Scotland currently sit in second place in the table, two points behind Spain and six points ahead of third placed Ukraine.
Previous meetings
Spain have been a familiar foe over the years, with their most recent meeting arriving in 2017, in a EURO 2017 group decider. In Scotland’s third match of their first major tournament, two goals were required for progression to the knock-out stages. A Caroline Weir goal gave Scotland the lead but despite being dominant, they were unable to score a crucial second, emerging as 1-0 victors but exiting the competition.
The last time Scotland visited Spain was a heartbreaking loss in the EURO 2013 play-offs. Following their first ever match at Hampden Park which ended in a 1-1 draw, Scotland travelled to Las Rozas with the tie in the balance. The match finished 2-2 after 90 minutes but in extra-time a last minute goal devastated Scotland and thwarted their major tournament ambitions.
Team News
Jen Beattie and Claire Emslie are ruled out of the match through injury with Tegan Bowie, Leah Eddie and Kelly Clark being called up.
Celtic duo Bowie and Clark are both uncapped. Celtic Captain Kelly Clark has played for Scotland Under-17s and 19s before, as has left sided player Bowie. Celtic currently sit in third spot of the SWPL table.
Abi Harrison will be aiming to continue on from her impressive showing at Hampden on Friday night, scoring a last minute equaliser.
Pre-match thoughts
Erin Cuthbert said: “We were disappointed with the performance on Friday night but we have to take heart that we managed to score in the last minute and remain unbeaten in the campaign. The beauty of World Cup Qualifiers is that we have a game soon to put things right.
“On Tuesday we’re going to have to be a bit more robust in defence as there were too many counter attacks on Friday. We need to limit chances and defend well against an on from side.
“The last time we played them we beat them at the Euros so anything is possible and we need to go into the match confident in our ability. Spain are a top team with a lot of Barcelona players who I know well so we need to be at the top of our game.
"We're still unbeaten and I think, if any Scotland team is unbeaten in their qualifying group, they're doing a pretty good job so far so I think there needs to be a bit of perspective.
"Yes, we can do better, we will do better, and the focus turns to Tuesday.”
Where can I watch?
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Alba, with English commentary on the red button, and you can also tune in to listen to the game on BBC Radio Scotland.