UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Qualifier
Cyprus 0-10 Scotland
Friday, 19 February, kick-off 1pm (UK time)
AEK Arena, Larnaca

Scotland: Cuthbert (10, 34), Thomas (22, 71), Weir (25), Hanson (29), Arnot (57), Emslie (64), J Ross (69, 73)

Scotland bounced back to winning ways in emphatic fashion with an incredible 10-0 rout of Cyprus.

Stuart McLaren’s side were 5-0 up at the break and refused to let up, hitting double figures in an incredibly dominant performance.

Erin Cuthbert, Martha Thomas and Jane Ross all grabbed doubles on a day where Caroline Weir scored another incredible dink and Lisa Robertson made her Scotland debut.

Scotland went into the game on the back of three defeats and their intent to get back to winning ways was evident right from the first whistle.

Erin Cuthbert and Martha Thomas were paired up front and both went close in the opening minutes before Cuthbert scored the first after just 10 minutes, nodding home a Kirsty Hanson cross.

In the first half Cyprus ventured into Scotland’s half on a rare occasion, hitting the post after 13 minutes.

Nine minutes later however, Scotland scored their second with Martha Thomas notching her third for her country in seven caps, converting a Lizzie Arnot cross.

Fresh from scoring a world class goal in the Manchester derby last Friday, Caroline Weir was back doing it again, after 25 minutes. Picking the ball up at the edge of the box she slalomed her way through defenders inside the box before cutely dinking the ball over the despairing goalkeeper.

Kirsty Hanson had been a constant menace on the flank and she got in on the scoring act before the half hour mark when she was released on the left and was able to hammer the ball home.

Lizzie Arnot then hit the back of the net but her header was disallowed much to Scotland’s bemusement. Scotland did make it five before the break however when Erin Cuthbert squeezed the ball beyond the goalkeeper from close range.

At the break, Lisa Robertson made her Scotland debut along with Natalie Ross who played her first match for her country since 2009.

Scotland were dominant from the off once again and Lizzie Arnot was able to add her name to the scoresheet converting an Erin Cuthbert cross.

Jane Ross emerged from the bench midway through the second half and immediately made an impact, scoring from the spot.

Cyprus were out on their feet and struggled to deal with Scotland’s intensity. Stuart McLaren’s side refused to relent though and on the 71st and 73rd minute they scored again. First Martha Thomas hit her brace before Jane Ross scored her second of the afternoon to make it Cyprus 0-10 Scotland. Scotland will now stay in Cyprus as they prepare for Tuesday’s final EURO 2022 Qualifier, against Portugal.

Reaction

Cyprus: Matthaiou, Ioannou, Zampa, Xenofontos, Panayiotou, Violari, Chrysostomou, Papadopoulou, Savva, Freda, Siakalli

Substitutes: Achilleos, Kouzali, Charalambous, Toumazou, Michael, Solomou, Adamou, Vasiliou, Antoniou, Iosifaki, Aristodimou, Michail

Scotland: Alexander, McLauchlan, Corsie, Graham (Emslie, 46), Weir (Robertson, 46), Howard, Docherty, Thomas (87), Hanson (Natalie Ross, 46), Cuthbert (Jane Ross, 64), Arnot

Unused substitutes: Cunningham, Fife, Mitchell, Beattie, Boyle, Kerr, Evans