By Alison McConnell

Scotland 6-0 Israel FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier Friday, 5 June 2026 Bozsik Arena, Budapest

Scorers Scotland: Cuthbert 17, Weir 20, 57, 67, Davidson 81. Hanson 86) Israel:

Team News

Melissa Andreatta made two changes from the last outing against Belgium with Claire Emslie back in the starting line-up following the birth of her son. There was also a return for Kirsty Hanson with Amy Muir and Freya Gregory, the latter of whom had to pull out of the squad.

As It Happened

Scotland dominated from the opening stages with Kirsty Hanson whacking an effort off the crossbar while Kathleen McGovern and Caroline Weir also tested goalkeeper Fortuna Rubin. The only moment of consternation for Scotland came via an Israel free-kick into the penalty box but other than that it was largely one-way traffic. The pressure bore fruit after just 17 minutes when Erin Cuthbert broke the deadlock to give Scotland the opener that they had threatened. The Chelsea midfielder netted from 18 yards with a rasping effort lifted high into the net.

Weir then doubled Scotland’s advantage with a low drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box. They kept at it. Cuthbert had an effort saved by Rubin, Jenna Clark headed over and Kathleen McGovern headed just wide as Scotland sustained the same tempo.

At the break; Scotland 2-0 Israel

Scotland emerged from the break with the bit still between their teeth as they went in search of further goals. Weir posted notice of her menace when she pounced on a slack passback after Rubin’s clearance bounced off her and went wide for a goal-kick. It simply delayed the inevitable. The third goal came just before the hour mark with Weir and Cuthbert once again pulling the strings. Cuthbert was provider as she threaded the ball through for Weir who slotted home. Weir came close to her hat-trick when she slid in at the back post to meet a Hanson cross however her effort went over the bar. Still, Scotland kept up the same intensity and pace. Weir’s hat-trick came from the spot after Israel were penalised for what looked like a soft handball after Lauren Davidson’s shot took a deflection. Weir duly stepped up to calmly dispatch the resultant penalty. Davidson made it five with with Cuthbert the architect of the effort once again. She suppled the ball to the feet of the industrious Davidson who thundered a shot into the top corner. With Israel demoralised and Scotland enjoying themselves, they continued to keep their foot to the floor. Weir came close to her fourth and Scotland’s sixth as she narrowly missed out on getting on the end of Davidson’s cross. Hanson took it upon herself to get in on the act when she added the sixth on an evening when Scotland were in control of the game and the points from start to finish.

The main worry for Andreatta will be the injury sustained by Erin Cuthbert as the clock edged into the 90th minute; the Scotland vice-captain was stretchered off much to the concern of her teammates.

Scotland will take on Israel once again on Tuesday, in their final FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier.

Teams

Scotland: MacIver, Docherty, Clark, McLauchlan (Lawton 72), Taylor (Cornet 46), Emslie (Muir 46), Cuthbert (MacLean 94), Weir, Davidson, Hanson, McGovern (Adams 82). Unused subs: Brown, Cumings, Eddie, Gibson, Grimshaw, Howat

Israel: Rubin, Shvill (Derksan 72), Alkaisi, David, Naqev (Faingezicht 46), Shalom (Almasri 72), Steinschneider, Cabrera (S Cohen 63), Slimhojits (Tal 81), Sommer, Katz Unused subs: Bailin, Z Cohen, Haviv, Lipsicas, Blokhin, Sirota, Warko.

Referee: Deborah Anex