FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifiers
Scotland 7-1 Faroe Islands
Tuesday, 21 September 2021, kick-off 7:35pm 
Hampden Park, Glasgow 

Scotland run riot as they mark Hampden homecoming with a 7-1 win. 

Scorers

Scotland: Cuthbert (19’), Arthur (20’, 28’), Grimshaw (38’), Thomas (60’), Clark (80’), Emslie (82’)

Faroe Islands: Biskopstø (48’)

Team News

Pedro Martinez Losa made one change to the team that defeated Hungary on Friday, with Chloe Arthur coming in for Kirsty Hanson.

As it happened

Scotland were on the front foot during the opening five minutes. Claire Emslie delivered some dangerous crosses, testing the nerve of the Faroese defence early on. Lisa Robertson found herself with Scotland’s first real shooting opportunity, but her long-distance effort was sent over the crossbar.

The home side continued to press for an early opener with Jane Ross getting on the end of a cross from Nicola Docherty but was forced wide by the Faroe defence. Moments later, the Scotland number 13 went close again with a looping header dropping just over the cross bar.

Claire Emslie was dominant down the left flank in what was a controlled opening quarter for the Scots. Her low cross on the 13th minute mark almost found its way through to Grimshaw at the back post, but the Faroe defence stood strong.                             

Scotland’s pressure finally paid off after 19-minutes. Erin Cuthbert took the ball nicely on the half-turn before finding herself in space 25-yards out. Her left footed strike from range beat the Faroese keeper all ends up – sailing high into the net.

It was the quick one-two for Pedro Martinez Losa’s side, with Chloe Arthur giving the Scots a 2-0 lead less than a minute later. Jane Ross whipped in a delightful cross which Arthur met to nod home from inside the penalty area to score her first international goal.

Scotland were soon out of sight as Chloe Arthur helped herself to her second of the evening. Rachel Corsie’s cross from deep once again found Arthur, who nodded home at the back post to give the Scots a well-deserved 3-0 lead.

There was clear intent from the home side to attack the wings. Both full backs found themselves high and wide on numerous occasions and were delivering some threatening crosses into the Faroe penalty area.

38 minutes on the clock and Scotland added their fourth goal of the evening. Another teasing cross to the back post, this time from Nicola Docherty found Grimshaw, who does well to turn the ball home from a tight angle.

The away side began the second half well, putting pressure on the Scotland back line and winning an early corner. The cross was delivered short to the front post where Biskopstø nodded home from close range to convert the Faroese first effort on target after 48 minutes.

Kirsty Hanson looked to get involved after coming off the bench. Just before the hour mark, the Manchester United forward found herself with space to drive at the Faroe defence, her tidy footwork opened up a shooting opportunity, but she sent the shot just past the crossbar.

It was only moments later that Scotland added their fifth of the evening. A high ball was neatly brought down by Arthur on the edge of the area before teeing up Martha Thomas who swivelled and drilled the ball low past Joensen.

Scotland had chances to add a sixth with Clelland, Grimshaw and Hanson all going close to increasing the home sides advantage.

There was a special moment after 67 minutes as Jenna Clark replaced Jennifer Beattie to mark her Scotland debut. Clark’s would soon get even better when she found herself on the end of Cuthbert’s teasing delivery into the box. The young defender cooly brought the ball under control before finishing low under the on-rushing Joensen to give the Scots a 6-1 lead after 80 minutes.

Just two minutes later, congestion on the edge of the Faroese penalty area let to a free kick for a suspected handball. Cuthbert who had went close earlier from a set piece left the ball to Claire Emslie, who made no mistake in curling the ball into the far corner to give the Scots their seventh goal of the evening.

A comfortable 7-1 victory at their new home means Scotland take maximum points from September’s qualifiers. One major concern for Martinez Losa comes in the shape of Erin Cuthbert – who was stretchered off on 90 minutes following a nasty collision. The Hampden Roar was in full voice as she left the field whilst being announced as the player of the match.

The Scotland boss will be more than pleased with his sides display, with over 75% possession and 35 shots on goal.

Next Up

Scotland are back home at Hampden Park next month for another FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier as they take on Hungary on October 22nd. Tickets for the match are available here.

Teams

Scotland: Alexander (GK), McLauchlan, Docherty (Hanson 45’), Corsie (c), Beattie (Clark 67’), Robertson (Clelland 45’), Grimshaw (Boyle 78’), Ross (Thomas 45’), Arthur, Emslie, Cuthbert

Unused substitutes: Fife (GK), Cumings (GK), Howard, Westrup, Davidson, Arnot

Faroe Islands: Joensen (GK), Johannesen, Mittfoss, Ryan, Lakjuni, Hansen, Mortensen, Sevdal (Højgaard Joensen 89’), Tórolvsdóttir, Johannesen (c), Biskopstø (Hummeland 65’). 

Unused substitutes: Biskopstø, Svarvadal Jacobsen, Johansen, Mohr, Hansen, Østerø