Thank you for joining me this evening for what was a great match. England hit Scotland for six but the hosts had glimpses of what they could produce – particularly with the introduction of Martha Thomas. Kirby, James, Greenwood, Mead and Bronze all scored to try and keep Team GB’s Olympic hopes alive but in the end it was the Netherlands’ 4-0 result over Belgium that ended the bid. For all the action have a read of the report below:
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Lucy Bronze’s celebration when she scored showed she thought it had put England through top of the group. Unfortunately for England, and the rest of Team GB, the Netherlands scored late on to go through. Bronze deserved the goal though, her performance was stellar once again for her country.
It is worth remembering too that Mead was not selected for the delayed 2020 Olympics and so to miss out on qualification where she potentially would have been selected.
England’s Beth Mead has spoken to the BBC and said: “Devastated. We did everything we possibly could on the pitch tonight. Unfortunately it wasn’t in our hands, Netherlands got four goals so fair play to them. We made sure we kept in communication, se we knew what we had to do. We thought we maybe got over the line, that is football. Extra time, late goals. It’s a tough one, I thought we were incredible this camp.”
The other two nations that make up Team GB, Wales and Northern Ireland, were both in action today. Wales drew 0-0 with Germany and Northern Ireland lost 6-1 to the Republic of Ireland.
To take a look back at the game itself, Martha Thomas is surely starting to nail herself into a starting shirt. She was at the heart of the great plays Scotland put together in that second half and she forced Earps into a great save. Napier was also impressive when she came on at half-time.
So the Nations League finals will be played between the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain. It will only be the two teams who make the final who will qualify for the Olympics.
Bear in mind it won’t only be the England players hurting from the result between the Netherlands and Belgium, Team GB’s qualification is dependant on England’s results and so this means Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland players also will not compete at the Olympics. Tonight England couldn’t have done more, it was a fantastic performance.
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Team GB Olympic dream is over
The Netherlands game is over, they have won 4-0. England needed to finish three goals ahead of them to top the group to go through to keep the Olympic bid going but it’s not enough.
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Lineth Beerensteyn scored two and Damaris Egurrola slotted two injury time goals to seal top of the group for the Netherlands. What an effort for the Dutch, beating Belgium 4-0 is a top job. It is mindblowing that 6-0 away from home for England isn’t enough. Heartbreak for England.
The Netherlands have scored! They are 4-0 up against Belgium, that means England will not progress. Team GB will not be at the Olympics.
This is such a tense wait for England, Wiegman has come on and told them the Netherlands are 3-0 up. You could see Bronze tell her teammates of the changed scoreboard after she scored. Wow. Without the Bronze goal England would not be topping the group right now. We have two more minutes in the Netherlands game.
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Full-time! Scotland 0-6 England
That Bronze goal could have done it, Netherlands are 3-0 up now and so it was needed – they are still playing there. All the analysis to come.
90 + 4 min: The ball comes across and Bronze heads it down, she celebrates. That is what is means!
GOAL! Scotland 0-6 England (Bronze, 90+3)
Oh that is deserved after a cracking performance.
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90 + 3 min: Toone is down and England have another free kick, the clock is ticking here. Have England done enough? The set piece comes in but Scotland do well to defend.
90 + 2 min: OH MY WORD. Cuthbert takes a huge shot and Greenwood blocks, Thomas rallies another at goal but Earps makes a great save. Some amazing play from both sides there.
90 min: Gibson has really grown into this game, some of the goals in the first half she couldn’t do anything about but she’s made some great saves in this second half. There will be three minutes added.
89 min: England are threading a lot of possession together and Stanway is fouled, the visitors have a free kick. Greenwood takes it is good again, it hits a defender but Gibson collects once again.
87 min: Stanway makes a great run but captain Corsie blocks and clears, she tracked back so well. England keep coming and Walsh takes a weak shot which Gibson collects.
85 min: Some England defenders are looking slightly tired out there, a note to say England have only made two changes. Wiegman has been criticised for her lack of subs before.
84 min: Thomas is fouled by Greenwood, she hobbles away – something Tottenham fans will not want to be seeing. She is staying on the pitch which is good news, but she looked in pain there. Scotland thread a play together and Harrison almost scores but it sneaks wide.
82 min: England are still plucking away for another goal but Scotland are a much more settled side in this half, they have only conceded one goal in this 45. The visitors are on the prowl though.
80 min: Greenwood takes the set piece but Napier gets a good clearance header and then the referee blows the whistle. Scotland make another change with Hanson off for Harrison.
79 min: Hemp draws a foul in a great position from Brown and England have a free kick in a good position on the right hand side.
78 min: England work it well into the box and they take two quick shots but Toone can’t get a good connection. Thomas tries to create a counter but England quickly win it back and Russo gets a header on a Greenwood cross but Gibson collects.
76 min: Bronze has been going about her business well this evening, she comes up again with a good tackle. Scotland have some belief here, they have had some great play in the last 10 or so minutes, if they score England will not go through as things stand.
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74 min: Docherty gets a yellow card for a challenge on Hemp, England take a long range free kick through Greenwood. Howard heads away and England have a corner. Greenwood delivers and it comes to James but her effort is over.
72 min: The game has hit a slight lull now, maybe we have just been treated to some lively football that a slight reprieve seems so quiet. That was almost a huge error from England at the back, what have I been saying about their risky play from the back. A back pass doesn’t reach Earps and Hanson almost pounces, Earps scrambles for it. Wow.
70 min: While Scotland’s attack has improved measurably, England are able to still find pockets of space in their defence. Toone finds her former Manchester United teammate Russo but her effort is over the bar.
68 min: Cuthbert takes it and it’s a great delivery, it meets Thomas and Earps makes a great save and then it is cleared. Scotland look so much brighter with Thomas on the pitch.
67 min: Thomas is immediately in action, she is tackled well in the box but she is able to pop in a cross but it’s well defended. Scotland keep coming, James has a high boot on Napier and the hosts have a free kick.
65 min: Scotland make another change with Thomas on for Emslie and England are making their first changes with Toone and Russo on for Kirby and Mead. Not a bad set of changes from either side there, Thomas having a sensational start to the WSL with Tottenham this season.
64 min: So sorry all, I have got my maths all wrong! England are level on goal difference with the Netherlands but they are ahead on goals scored.
62 min: Greenwood takes the free kick and it is an absolute rocket but Gibson makes another great save to keep it out.
61 min: It would be interesting to know if Wiegman is feeding the Netherlands’ live score to the players on the pitch. Do England know they are now just one goal ahead on goal difference? Either way, James has won a free kick in a great position.
60 min: The Netherlands have scored again but with Kirby’s goal England are still top on goal difference. England want more though, they keep pelting the goal and Kirby goes closest by smacking the woodwork.
58 min: Scotland come forward and look promising but Hanson and Brown can’t combine and another chance is missed, a few more cohesive moves from the hosts would have seen them in a much better position. England are on the attack again and Hemp is fed the ball in the box and Gibson makes a sensational save to deny her. That was impressive.
56 min: Hemp wants a free kick after a tackle but it isn’t given. Wiegman was on her feet for the first half, shouting at her players and rallying them. Now she has taken a seat in the dugout, the team are definitely feeling much more confident now.
54 min: After a long build-up Kirby takes a shot but it’s well wide. England come again and James makes a great run, she crosses in but Stanway’s punt is easily collected from Gibson.
52 min: England are less frantic in their play at the moment, maybe as they have a cushion of one goal now. They are being a lot more patient in their build-up now, on the hunt for more.
51 min: Stanway makes a great run and passes at the last moment, Kirby then can take a tap finish. I had just finished writing about Scotland coming out the brighter side, all of that promise is up in flames from a poor defensive set.
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GOAL! Scotland 0-5 England (Kirby, 50')
That was so poor from Scotland, too easy for Kirby.
48 min: England’s play out of the back, I don’t know if it’s confident or stupid sometimes. Morgan passes to Earps who has to whack it to clear some pressure.
46 min: The changes have surprised me slightly, I thought McLauchlan had a great half. Of course it wasn’t perfect but she had some really bright moments. But that is why I am sat here writing and not in the manager box.
Back underway! Scotland 0-4 England
So everything hinges on the Netherlands’ result but England look rampant and so I think we are in store for some more goals. England are the first team out, Scotland eventually join them and we’re back in action. Scotland have made changes with Mukandi out for Brown, McLauchlan off for Napier and Clark out for Howard.
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Beth Mead must have really enjoyed that goal, her first since her ACL injury over a year ago. Here is the goal, you can see what it means:
Beth Mead's first England goal since her awful ACL injury 🥹
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 5, 2023
A special moment!
As things stand, Sarina Wiegman's side will be going to the Nations League finals and potentially to the Olympics.
📲 Watch #SCOENG on @BBCOne and BBCiPlayer#BBCFootball | @BBCSportScot pic.twitter.com/8rGlwfI0L6
Here are two of England’s four goals from that first half:
Alex Greenwood is unmarked and gets her first England goal in two years 🎯
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 5, 2023
Can Scotland respond?
📲 Watch #SCOENG on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer#BBCFootball |@BBCSportScot pic.twitter.com/gFWn9lsLaO
Unreal. Lauren James, everyone 🔥
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 5, 2023
Two goals in two minutes for the Chelsea star ✅
England need another to keep Team GB's Olympic qualification hopes alive...
📲 Watch #SCOENG on @BBCOne and BBCiPlayer#BBCFootball | @BBCSportScot pic.twitter.com/Ft30NF0YZY
Scotland started really well with England’s chances just not coming together. But a set piece goal from Greenwood, two goals from James and a controlled finish from Mead see England at the top of the group at half-time. The Netherlands are still only 1-0 against Belgium and so they are ahead on goal difference now.
Half-time! Scotland 0-4 England
Well what a half, all the analysis to come.
GOAL! Scotland 0-4 England (Mead, 45+1')
It’s Mead’s first England goal for 15 months.
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45 min: Bronze finds James but she is ruled offside, Scotland have definitely faded since James’ two quick fire goals. They need to compose themselves and back their defence, it was working for such a long time. There will be one minute added.
44 min: The commentators are saying Scotland are rocked, so am I. England are really taking this game by the throat now, if they keep this up it could be a blood bath.
43 min: Charles should have taken the shot herself there, James had fed her the ball but she unselfishly passes to Kirby but the chance is gone.
41 min: So just to keep everyone up to date on the permutations, with the Netherlands 1-0 up it means England only need one more goal to go through to the semi-finals. Of course if the Netherlands score again the picture changes.
40 min: Charles makes a great run in the box, lays it off to James who whallops it from outside of the box. England are scoring so quickly I can hardly keep up.
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GOAL! Scotland 0-3 England (James, 40')
JAMES! What a stunner.
39 min: England know what they need from this match, no celebrations from that goal and they are immediately back in action.
GOAL! Scotland 0-2 England (James, 38')
The ball is frantic after an England corner and James takes a punt, it deflects and takes it away from Gibson.
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36 min: An update for you from the other game, the Netherlands have taken the lead against Belgium which means England need three more goals here.
34 min: It’s been more toing and froing in the midfield, the game is alive but both teams just need some more composure.
32 min: Evans receives a great kick and she turns, she gets in a good position but miscommunication sees England come away with it. They work it all the way into the box and how has Hemp not scored?! I think she was offside but the flag didn’t go up and she takes a weak punt which hits the post. Scotland don’t hesitate on the counter and Emslie makes a fantastic run and forces Earps into a save.
30 min: Kirby manages to recover herself after a poor touch almost sees her lose it, she crosses but Mead again can’t get to it. The ball continues to be pelted into the area but the final touch or shot just isn’t coming together. Scotland are doing well to repel them, Clark and McLauchlan especially impressive.
28 min: England manage to work the ball to Mead on the edge of the box, she whips it to James but it’s above her head. Once again the visitors search for Mead and find her with a great pass from Walsh but the Arsenal star can’t quite connect.
26 min: Mead takes it, though she is booed as it takes a while to get it going, but it’s a superb header from Clark to close down the chance.
25 min: Cuthbert pops it in and while it is a good delivery Bronze reads it well. She intercepts and runs it right up the other end but the chance is wasted by a heavy touch. Before Scotland can peel away though Greenwood wins a free kick in a great position.
24 min: A poor distributing kick from Earps and Scotland are on the attack, Cuthbert gets the ball on the edge of the box but Greenwood times her tackle perfectly to cut out the chance. Scotland once again intercepts England’s play out of the back and McLauchlan whallops it at goal, forcing Earps into a save and Scotland have a corner.
22 min: I think frantic is the word to describe this game, as soon as each team win the ball they are forcing passes and it’s soon turned over.
20 min: Bronze is really showing her experience and leadership so far, being key in attack and brave in defence. The same can’t be said for Mead just now who fouls Hanson, Scotland have a free kick but it’s in their own half and it’s not long until England win it back.
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18 min: Conceding the goal has lit a fire in Scotland, who look more promising now. England do slightly look like headless chickens in the midfield and their lack of composure could cost them. A lot of frantic play at the moment.
16 min: The crowd and Evans are protesting here, Scotland have a great chance and Bronze chops Evans down. I was expecting a penalty call, there wasn’t a lot of contact but the referee didn’t have a great view. But referee rules game on! On the replay it would have been a soft penalty.
14 min: Scotland’s defence has been good so far in the match but that was a lapse in judgement there as Greenwood wasn’t marked, giving her space to head home. England still alive here and Bronze takes a shot which is just over the bar.
GOAL! Scotland 0-1 England (Greenwood, 12')
Bronze makes a storming run and she wins a corner, this time Mead is the taker. The Arsenal forward whips it in and Greenwood heads home.
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12 min: Greenwood takes the set piece and it’s a scramble in the box, it eventually comes to Kirby but her shot is over the bar. For that set piece England only had 10 players as Stanway is receiving treatment for that stinger on her hand – I didn’t see what caused it but she has her hand strapped now.
10 min: Bronze is going to have a busy evening with Cuthbert giving her a headache at the moment. When Scotland have attacking ball they have promise but it’s just the last pass that isn’t coming together – this time Emslie is muscled off the ball by Bronze and Mead. England immediately counter from a short goal kick, Hemp passes to James who wins a corner.
8 min: Stanway is seen shaking her hand and wincing, not a good sight but she is staying on the pitch at the moment as England come forward again. Kirby gets in the box but McLauchlan, who has started the game so well, perfectly times her tackle to relieve pressure for now.
6 min: Wiegman spoke a lot this week about England getting front foot ball and her team are doing just that! James threads a great ball but Gibson gets to it before Stanway can take a shot.
4 min: Greenwood takes the free kick, it’s not her best delivery as it has slightly too much on it and it’s immediately out of play. Scotland have their first attack but Greenwood does well to cut out the ball with a pass back to Earps, she immediately hits it to Bronze who almost loses control – England have to be careful with their play from the back.
2 min: England start brightly and get the ball to the edge of the area but Scotland’s defence holds well with a good read from McLauchlan. England come forward again and Docherty trips Bronze and handballs, England have a free kick.
Kick-off! Scotland 0-0 England
Here we go then, we are underway at Hampden Park.
It looks chilly in Glasgow which follows the frosty atmosphere in this rivalry. Will Scotland get their first win over England in over an decade tonight? Or can England progress out of the group? All to come.
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The players are out at Hampden Park, the crowd doesn’t look too full but they are making their presence know. Just over five minutes until kick-off, the anthems to come and we will be underway.
Wiegman has told the BBC: “We don’t want to concede and we want to really go for goals too… It’s going to be a very competitive game and I hope we are coming forward all the time.” And Scotland manager Pedro Martínez Losa added: “We are going to compete in this game until the last minute, we always do to make sure we make our fans proud.”
Here is what England manager Sarina Wiegman has said about Esme Morgan being in the starting XI this evening.
🎙 Sarina on @_esmemorgan being in the starting XI tonight: pic.twitter.com/GYEghCQGFv
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 5, 2023
Tor has got in touch and said: “I’m emailing you from an overly-fancy restaurant in central Manchester where I have been dragged to a work event. I’d much rather be in the sports bar round the corner watching the match, so I’m retaliating by watching it on iPlayer. However it does have the benefit of truly excellent snacks - the dim sum is incredible.” A fancy restaurant sounds quite nice to me and the snacks equally so, maybe make your excuses in 15 minutes so you can get a good atmosphere around you.
For more insight on the story have a read of Suzy Wrack’s piece:
There has been some discussion around Scotland letting England win in order for Team GB to keep Olympic qualification hopes alive but that has been rubbished by captain Rachel Corsie. She said: “Truthfully I think it is so disrespectful. To have played for my country for as many years as I have – to know the girls that sit in there, the ones that want to be here, the ones who can’t be here through injury – I think it is absolutely outrageous to question anyone’s integrity and I think it is a huge insult to us.” Read the full story:
England will know the target to reach the Nations League finals and there could be a temptation to throw everything at it from the first whistle but Keira Walsh has spoken this week about being composed: “For me nothing changes, but we’re aware we’ve got to be on the front foot. Equally, they’ve got some good attacking players as well, so we have to be aware of that. We play our best game when we keep possession and create opportunities that are measured, it’s not just about throwing balls in the box. It’s about being controlled and picking the best opportunities.” Read the full story:
Snack chat is back! Let me know what tasty treats you are having while watching the game this evening, I have gone with strawberry laces. Did anyone else used to have a race to see who could eat them the fastest? Anyway, email me to get in touch!
If Sandy MacIver is called upon from the bench it will be the first time she has played against former team England. MacIver switched allegiances in October and only won one cap for England, which came in 2021.
So proud to wear the Scotland shirt for the first time and be part of this team. No better place to do that than Hampden Park 💫
— Sandy Mac (@SandyMacIver_) November 1, 2023
Disappointed with the result and not to come away with anything but still 2 games left to play for
Thank you to everyone who came out to support us💙 pic.twitter.com/Y389JRaSfa
Beth Mead makes her first England start since she injured her ACL over a year ago tonight. Sarina Wiegman will be hoping she can continue her glittering form to fire her side to the Nations League finals.
The team news is in! Scotland have made four changes to the starting side who drew 1-1- with Belgium last Friday including a change at goalkeeper with Lee Gibson in for sandy MacIver.
Scotland: Gibson, Docherty, Mukandi, Corsie, Kerr, Hanson, Evans, McLauchlan, Clark, Emslie, Cuthbert
🔢 Your Scotland team for tonight's final #UWNL matchday.
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) December 5, 2023
Kick-off is at 7.45pm, live on @BBCOne Scotland and @BBCiPlayer.#SCOENG | #SWNT pic.twitter.com/pjEf4mirDu
England, meanwhile, have made two changes from the starting team who beat the Netherlands 3-2 last Friday. Esme Morgan and Beth Mead come in for Jess Carter and Chloe Kelly. The team are still without Millie Bright because of a knee injury and so Mary Earps once again takes the captaincy duties.
England: Earps, Bronze, Charles, Walsh, Greenwood, Morgan, Mead, Stanway, Kirby, James, Hemp.
Tonight's #Lionesses! 💪 pic.twitter.com/V4ZQbRO2gS
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 5, 2023
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Preamble
Good evening and welcome to the Women’s Nations League match between Scotland and England which will determine if Team GB’s hopes to compete in women’s football at the 2024 Games are still alive.
In order to qualify England will have to top the group, which they are not at the moment as the Netherlands are top on goal difference. That means if both England and the Netherlands win this evening, England will have to beat Scotland by three goals or more. If the Netherlands lose or draw to Belgium, all England will have to do is beat Scotland to qualify for the Nations League finals.
There has been a lot of debate about the strange position Scotland find themselves in tonight. If they beat their rivals England then their own chance of playing in the Olympics will be over. But anyone who knows anything about this rivalry will know there is no chance Scotland would intentionally lose to England. I will bring you more from this story shortly, including player reactions.
For now let’s have a look at the team news which should be dropping imminently ahead of kick-off at 7.45pm GMT.
