UEFA EURO 2022 Qualifier
Scotland v Portugal
Tuesday, 23 February, kick-off 3.10pm (UK time)
Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Larnaca
Live on BBC ALBA

Scotland round off their EURO 2022 Qualification campaign against Portugal, in a match which was due to be played at Easter Road but the venue was changed due to current travel restrictions.

Stuart McLaren’s side go into the match full of confidence following Friday’s thumping 10-0 victory over Cyprus.

Portugal lost out to a last gasp winner from Finland which secured their place at the finals next summer.

Team news

Stuart McLaren has a full squad to choose from as Lisa Robertson aims to build on her first cap which she gained on Friday.

Previous meetings

Scotland have played Portugal twice in recent years, losing out 2-1 in Euro 2017 before being defeated last year 1-0 in Lisbon.

Pre-match thoughts with Stuart McLaren

Stuart, how do you reflect on the 10-0 victory over Cyprus?

It was a great result and a very good performance. I thought we defended well when we had to and there was a lot of good attacking play. We can learn from that chance that Cyprus had early on when they hit the post. If that went in it could have been a different game so it’s important to take on those learning opportunities and make sure we’re well prepared for Portugal.

The scoring was shared around the squad and you gave a few different players a chance. How positive was it to see strong performances throughout the team?

We were able to pick a team which were capable of beating Cyprus and they made that an almost certainty by half-time, scoring five unanswered goals. That allowed us to give some other players a chance to come in and play, showing their capabilities to impress and play for their country.

A result like that helps massively and gives the players a bit more confidence in front of goal. There’s been previous games where we’ve made a lot of chances but not converted. In that match the conversion rate was high which was pleasing. It shows that the players are buying into the way we’re working as it has brought success. Hopefully we can replicate that against Portugal.

After a disappointing qualifying campaign, how much of the focus of this week has been to end it on a high?

It’s essential we do that. At international football all the players are technically, tactically and physically prepared so the biggest difference you can make is in your mentality. It goes without saying you’ll always do better at something when you’re enjoying it. It’s a credit to the players that they realise the two games out in Cyprus have represented the start of the next stage, and they’re determined to kick on from the win on Friday, and ensure we end the campaign on a high. We’ve enjoyed this week and while it is a little unconventional to be playing our home match in Cyprus it has been smooth for us as it’s allowed us to be settled out in Larnaca, and we’ve prepared well.

Match Programme

Read the match programme which is now live online

Purchase a print version through Ignition Sports Media

Football Friends

Watch as Caroline Weir and Claire Emslie test out how much they know each other.

Rachel Corsie Podcast

Hear from Rachel Corsie on The Official Scotland Podcast as she reflects on the last few months and reviews her career to date.

Scotland Squad

Goalkeepers

Lee Alexander (Glasgow City)
Megan Cunningham (Rangers)
Jenna Fife (Rangers)

Defenders

Jen Beattie (Arsenal)
Rachael Boyle (Hibernian)
Rachel Corsie (Kansas City)
Nicola Docherty (Rangers)
Sophie Howard (Leicester City)
Emma Mitchell (Reading)
Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers)

Midfielders

Lucy Graham (Everton)
Sam Kerr (Rangers)
Lisa Robertson (Celtic)
Natalie Ross (Celtic)
Caroline Weir (Manchester City)

Forwards

Lizzie Arnot (Rangers)
Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)
Claire Emslie (Everton)
Lisa Evans (Arsenal)
Kirsty Hanson (Manchester United)
Zoe Ness (Rangers)
Jane Ross (Manchester United)
Martha Thomas (West Ham United)