UEFA EURO 2022 Qualifier
Scotland 0-2 Portugal
Tuesday, 23 February 2021
Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Larnaca

Portugal: Capeta (27), Pinto (90+2)

Scotland ended their EURO 2022 Qualification campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Portugal.

A first half goal along with a last gasp strike in injury time produced a scoreline which gave an unfair reflection of a match which Scotland dominated largely, but were ultimately unable to find the back of the net.

In surreal circumstances, Scotland stepped out in Cyprus to face Portugal in what was classified as a home match. The game was due to be played at Easter Road but the venue was changed due to current UK travel restrictions.

It was a special occasion for both Jenna Fife and Sam Kerr who made their first competitive starts for Scotland.

Scotland began brightly and Erin Cuthbert carved out the first goalscoring opportunity but headed over the bar.

After 16 minutes Claire Emslie combined with her strike partner when she curled a cross in the box and Martha Thomas forced the Portugal goalkeeper into a good stop.

Scotland were looking dangerous and moments later Sam Kerr did well to find Cuthbert in the box who produced a strong shot but once again Patricia Morais was equal to the effort.

Despite their dominance they found themselves behind with nearly half an hour on the clock. Jenna Fife looked to clear the ball upfield but Capeta was sprightly and able to block the kick, sending the ball despairingly into the back of Scotland’s net.

Scotland went in at the break 1-0 down but were close to levelling on the stroke of half-time when a clever flick from Martha Thomas trickled wide of the target.

The second half began quietly but Scotland remained in the ascendancy, dominating possession but found themselves unable to create the number of scoring chances that were presented in the first period.

Scotland pushed hard for an equaliser as the half wore on, with Martha Thomas and Jen Beattie coming closest, but the Portugal defence remained firm.

With three minutes added on, Portugal doubled their lead with a sucker-punch after 92 minutes; a rare attack saw Fatima Pinto blast the ball into the back of the net, sealing the victory for the visitors.

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What next?

The result ends a disappointing campaign for Scotland with all eyes now turning to the World Cup Qualifying draw at the end of April ahead of the campaign beginning in September. Prior to that there is an international window in June.

Teams

Scotland: Fife, Mitchell, Corsie, Beattie, Kerr (Hanson 74), Graham, Weir, Evans, Evans, Emslie, Thomas, Cuthbert

Unused substitutes: Alexander, Cunningham, McLauchlan, Boyle, Ness, Jane Ross, Robertson, Howard, Natalie Ross, Docherty, Arnot.