Caroline Weir scored a hat-trick as Scotland hammered Israel 6-0 in their Women’s World Cup qualifier to boost their chances of finishing top of their group and returning to League A in the Nations League.
The Real Madrid midfielder had a hand in the first four goals as she also provided the assist for the opener scored by Erin Cuthbert, who was carried off with a potentially serious knee injury late on in Budapest.
It boosted the Scots’ goal difference to 18 – 10 clear of rivals Belgium who end their campaign with two games against bottom club Luxembourg – and with Israel to come again next week Melissa Andreatta’s side will look for another big win to secure top spot in League B Group 4, which earns a seeding for the qualification play-offs.
Weir first teed up Cuthbert to nudge the ball past Rachel Steinschneider and fire home from the edge of the area in the 17th minute.
Three minutes later Weir scored her first as Israel twice failed to clear a corner and the midfielder moved the ball one way with her left foot and then back the other with her right to skip past two defenders to open up space for a shot through a crowd of players.
An intricate passing move saw Weir run through the middle of Israel’s defence to slot her second in the 57th minute and she completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot 10 minutes later.
Lauren Davidson and Kirsty Hanson added late goals to boost the goal difference further.
PA
