She Kicks Magazine
·27 September 2023
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·27 September 2023
Sophie Howard of Scotland celebrates after she scores the equalising goal . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
UEFA Women’s Nations League Group A1 has Belgium on top despite Scotland’s stoppage-time leveller and Netherlands on three points with England whom they beat with a late goal.
Mary Earps turned a Rene Diekstra strike round the post but the Dutch were ahead on 34 minutes. Lieke Martens was the scorer after England lost possession close to their own penalty area, although Danielle van de Donk appeared to set up the goal from an offside position.
Lieke Martens of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring the first goal. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Rachel Daly volleyed against the post, Daphne van Domselaar made a double save from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway’s follow up. Lineth Beerensteyn was denied a second for the Dutch when she hit the crossbar.
Sherida Spitse cleared the danger when Hemp met a Lucy Bronze cross, Van Domselaar them making a fantastic save as Hemp got in again with Chloe Kelly this time putting the ball over. Alessia Russo finally brought England level with a first-time effort from a deflected pass.
Alessia Russo of England celebrates with teammates after scoring the equaliser. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Viktoria Pelova swiftly forced Earps into a sharp save inside the post, then in the 90th minute Marten played in late substitute Dominique Janssen to rifle in a dramatic winner.
Scotland might have gone in one up against Belgium but Rachel McLauchlan’s cross which was met by the head of Christy Grimshaw produced a finger-tip save from Nicky Evrard.
It was instead Belgium who struck first seven minutes after the restart, when a corner was only half cleared and Kassandra Missipo took advantage to nod home at the back post.
Scotland pressed for the equaliser, with Rachel Corsie heading narrowly wide from a Lauren Davidson delivery and Nicola Docherty setting up Amy Gallacher but again the ball was nodded just wide.
Christy Grimshaw (Scotland) shoots under pressure from Laura Deloose (Belgium). (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
However, the hosts got their goal with the last touch of the game at Hampden Park, as Lee Gibson’s long ball was headed in by Sophie Howard.