AC Milan’s Christy Grimshaw opened the scoring at HampdenCaptain Rachel Corsie’s last-minute header spared Scotland’s blushes against Hungary and maintained their 100% start to Women’s World Cup qualifying.
Christy Grimshaw sparked some life into a sluggish first-half display as she pounced in the box to slot home.
Fanni Vago’s finish gave Hungary a surprise equaliser, as they took advantage of slack play by the hosts.
But as Scotland looked set for a costly draw, Corsie stooped to head in.
Reaction & as it happenedThe win puts Scotland top of Group B on the maximum nine points, but they have played a game more than in-form Spain, who face Ukraine on Tuesday.
Having created numerous chances in their 2-0 win away to Hungary in their opener, Scotland would have been confident of victory, particularly with the return of the influential Caroline Weir. However, they were made to work for a nervy victory.
Jen Beattie’s stinging shot from the edge of the box and close-range header were Scotland’s best chances in a sluggish opening half hour, before Grimshaw capitalised on a Hungarian defensive lapse to open the scoring.
The AC Milan forward was alert to take a neat first touch and finish from the edge of the six-yard box after the visiting centre-backs had misjudged Nicola Docherty’s hanging cross from the left.
The goal gave Scotland a half-time advantage and the platform to kick on. But, after a bright start in which Grimshaw went close, the home side were caught out.
Several unconvincing passes at the back led to Docherty’s ball for Beattie being picked off, and Hungary worked it nicely across goal for Vago to finish smartly into the top corner.
The equaliser did not change Scotland’s territorial dominance, but they struggled for fluency in possession all evening against an organised Hungary side who had lost their last four matches.
The barrage of chances that might have been expected never arrived, though. Claire Emslie curled a shot inches by and Beattie fired well wide from point-blank range on the stretch.
Weir produced a sublime turn to leave the fans in Hampden contemplating another classic strike from the Manchester City star, but the shot was straight at Hungary goalkeeper Reka Szocs.
And, just after Erin Cuthbert was denied brilliantly by Szocs, Corsie stayed alert to latch on to centre-back partner Beattie’s header back towards goal and earn a vital victory in the dying moments.
Player of the match – Claire EmslieEmslie provided width, pace, and energy and was Scotland’s main attacking threatWhat did we learn?Martinez Losa is known for implementing a possession-based style, and it was evident during last month’s victories against Hungary and a limited Faroe Islands side.
At Hampden, though, Scotland struggled with the ball. They were often guilty of giving it away as they tried to move it through the thirds, and when they did get to the final third they lacked precision.
They relied mainly on crosses from out wide, but rarely had sufficient numbers in the box to cause Hungary’s centre backs or goalkeeper many problems.
Automatic qualification for the World Cup in 2023 already looks a tough task given the form and pedigree of Spain, but a draw would have made it a mountainous task. However, the boost of a late winner will do wonders for confidence.
What did they say?Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: “These are the kind of games that help us grow as a team more. Tactics are important, but the most important thing is the heart. The players showed excellent character.
Scotland captain Rachel Corsie: “It’s a feeling of relief. We need to win games like this. To see the crowd leave happy, that’s our job. We’re grateful for that. There are things we can work on, but that’s good for us.”
What next?Scotland take on Sweden in a friendly in Paisley on Tuesday at 19:05 BST, with their next qualifier coming exactly a month later on 26 November at home to Ukraine.
Line-upsScotlandFormation 4-3-3
1Alexander
2McLauchlan4Corsie5Beattie3Docherty
22Cuthbert6Robertson9Weir
7Grimshaw13Ross18Emslie
1Alexander2McLauchlanSubstituted forBoyleat 78’minutes4Corsie5Beattie3DochertyBooked at 74minsSubstituted forArthurat 78’minutes22Cuthbert6RobertsonSubstituted forEvansat 64’minutes9Weir7GrimshawSubstituted forGrahamat 64’minutes13RossSubstituted forClellandat 86’minutes18EmslieSubstitutes8Boyle10Graham11Evans12Fife14Arthur15Howard16Clark17Hanson19Clelland20Davidson21Cumings23NessHungary WomenFormation 4-2-3-1
1Szocs
5Németh18Kovács23Papp8Szabó
3Csiszár6Fenyvesi
11Nagy10Vágó19Zeller
7Sipos
1Szocs5NémethSubstituted forKocsánat 66’minutes18Kovács23Papp8Szabó3Csiszár6FenyvesiSubstituted forSavanyaat 66’minutes11Nagy10VágóSubstituted forCsányiat 84’minutes19Zeller7SiposSubstituted forPápaiat 15’minutesSubstituted forVachterat 84’minutesSubstitutes2Fördos4Pusztai9Savanya12Bíró13Pápai14Németh15Vachter16Csányi17Kocsán20Csigi21Zágor22ErosReferee:Maria Ferrieri Caputi
Live TextMatch ends, Scotland 2, Hungary Women 1.
Second Half ends, Scotland 2, Hungary Women 1.
Offside, Scotland. Claire Emslie tries a through ball, but Lana Clelland is caught offside.
Goal! Scotland 2, Hungary Women 1. Rachel Corsie (Scotland) header from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jennifer Beattie with a headed pass following a corner.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Henrietta Csiszár.
Attempt saved. Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Claire Emslie.
Jennifer Beattie (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Fanni Vachter (Hungary Women).
Substitution, Scotland. Lana Clelland replaces Jane Ross.
Substitution, Hungary Women. Diana Csányi replaces Fanni Vágó.
Substitution, Hungary Women. Fanni Vachter replaces Emoke Pápai.
Attempt saved. Caroline Weir (Scotland) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Dóra Zeller.
Attempt missed. Jane Ross (Scotland) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Erin Cuthbert with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Laura Kovács.
Attempt saved. Rachel Corsie (Scotland) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Caroline Weir with a cross.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Laura Kovács.
Attempt blocked. Chloe Arthur (Scotland) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Caroline Weir with a cross.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Viktória Szabó.
Offside, Scotland. Lucy Graham tries a through ball, but Claire Emslie is caught offside.