There were glimpses of hope in this Scotland performance against Belgium but ultimately it was a case of too little, too late with the point unable to rescue Pedro Martinez Losa from relegation out of Nations League Group A1.
Firstly, the positives; a fully fit Erin Cuthbert is a considerable asset to Scotland. She dragged them back into this game after they had gone behind to Marie Detruter’s goal on the half hour mark and her all-round industry, energy and creativity will be significant for Scotland as they go into the spring European Championships campaign without Caroline Weir.
In the same vein, Kirsty MacLean, still only 18, does not look overwhelmed or out of place when exposed to elite international football.
The negatives, though, are the same criticisms that have underpinned the entirety of this campaign with a cheapness to the goals that Scotland concede. This was similar again last night although it has to be said that Scotland looked less porous than they have in previous games in the campaign.
A repeated concern, though, has been an inability to be ruthless in the final third with this again evidence in Belgium where Scotland created three decent second-half chances that may well have enabled them to claim a first victory in the tournament.
As it is, they know head into the final game against England at Hampden on Tuesday knowing that it is a game with nothing on the line for them, although Sarina Wiegman’s side have it all to play for in terms of topping the group. Team GB can only make it to this summer's Olympics if England qualify for the Nations League finals and make it to the final - or finish third if France make it to the final. To get to the finals they need to finish top of Group A1. England and The Netherlands are currently tied on 9 points with one game remaining.
It will be interesting to see just what changes in selection will take root for that.
"This is a learning process," said Martinez Losa. "We wanted to be tested and we have had a consistent level of competitiveness in the matches but you can be punished very easily. Their goal, we practised a hundred times after watching and analysing that move on video. You can watch and practice but ultimately you have to go and play. We knew we could do better and we had a bit more energy in the second period. We are playing the best teams in Europe and we are competing but we need to chose another route now to qualify for the Euros which was always out objective.
"We had our moments and that is the next level of the game. The reality is that women's football is improving in every aspect. We had chances to win the game but we have to understand that this is a standard some of the players are not used to playing at. Sometimes the ball will go in, some won't.
"Belgium have been so consistent in recent years and this is the level we need to reach.
"There is a question mark about Erin and whether she will be available now for the next game [England]. I don't like to talk about referees but in the whole Nations League there have been decisions that did not protect the players. We are responsible for our performances but the referee's decisions are also part of the game."
Sandy MacIvor kept her place in goal while there was a 50th cap for Rangers captain Nicola Docherty. There was an amusing exchange as the anthems took place pre kick-off with the full-back giving an audible ‘yaaaaas’ as MacIvor - a former England prospect - took full part in the singing of ‘Oh, Flower of Scotland.’
Scotland’s midfield had a bit of experience too and although the loss of the influential Caroline Weir will continue to echo, there was some guile in there with Sam Kerr back from injury while Erin Cuthbert and Lisa Evans also started. Their haul of caps supplemented the youth of Kirsty MacLean who was also handed another start.
Martinez Losa spoke this week of the “angriest” he has ever been as Scotland manager with his feelings with regards to the targeted physicality of Belgium during September’s game at Hampden still rankling. He had to be spoken to - uncharacteristically - by referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo inside the opening ten minutes after he felt a Cuthbert corner had come off a Belgian hand in the box.
Given that it had been a fairly positive start for Scotland it was frustrating the ease with which they were carved open for the first goal of the night.Tessa Wullaert got in behind Jenna Clark to cut the ball back for Detruyer to calmly dispatch and effort past the reach of MacIver.
Scotland’s response was immediate with Cuthbert reaffirming her status within Martinez Losa’s side with a goal that was manufactured out of nothing. The Chelsea midfielder spotted a gap as she collected the ball and let fly from 25 yards that arched into the net. Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard will feel that she may well have done better with the effort although neither Scotland nor Cuthbert were complaining.
The second period offered further encouragement for Scotland as they sustained a direct approach after the break. Claire Emslie flicked on a Cuthbert corner into the path of Clark but her effort was over the bar.
Martinez Losa’s side looked closer again to taking the lead in the game when Evans slipped the ball through to Emslie but she dragged her effort just wide of the post.
Celtic’s Amy Gallacher, a second-half arrival, had a glorious chance too when she tried to get on the end of a Kirsty Hanson delivery into the back post but her effort lacked any real composure as she failed to hit the target.
Martinez Losa continued to be positive as he put on Lauren Davidson for an extra attacking threat as Evans made way.
Cuthbert took a painful boot to the head after she slid in on Kassandra Missipo with the Belgian’s studs catching the midfielder who had to be stretchered off. It summed up what has been a bruising campaign for Scotland.
