In the impressive surroundings of A. Papadopoulos in Larnaca, Scotland triumphed 3-2 against New Zealand following a frantic last 10 minutes where three goals were scored.

Scotland were level at the break, 1-1 and a draw looked likely until Erin Cuthbert scored a stunner with Kim Little grabbing a third before New Zealand scored a consolation.

The match opened the Cyprus Cup competition ahead of four games in eight days and was a landmark milestone for Emma Mitchell who made her 50th Scotland cap against the Kiwis.

Ranked 19th in the world, New Zealand started well and forced Shannon Lynn, who was in goals in place of Gemma Fay, into making a sharp save from a corner early on.

After nine minutes on the clock, Christie Murray, who impressed in the first half, cracked a shot off the crossbar. It rebounded into the path of Jane Ross who was on hand to blast the ball into the corner on her 99th appearance to score her 48th goal.

The lead only lasted 11 minutes though when Shannon Lynn saw a slack pass out from the back picked up by Rosie White who was quick to react and score in the corner.

At the break it was 1-1 and the second half was something of a non-event until 18-year-old youngster Erin Cuthbert livened things up after 83 minutes.

The Chelsea midfielder gained possession outside the area and blasted it goalwards, watching the ball fly into the net.

Moments later Kim Little sealed the win slotting the ball home following a precision cross from substitute Fiona Brown.

In the last five minutes New Zealand hit the post but eventually did score a second in injury time which proved to be a consolation.

Afterwards Jenny Beattie said: “I thought we had a really good first half performance where we showed a lot of creativity and then in the second period we finished strongly which enabled us to win.

“Erin (Cuthbert) did really well when she came off the bench to score our second and put us in the ascendency.

“She’s a great young talent and seems to score every time she plays.

“She’s got so much quality and has a great career ahead of her.”

The Cyprus Cup is the second time the squad have met up this year ahead of Euro 2017 and Jenny is finding every game and training session beneficial.

She said: “We need to count on every camp now because the Euros is getting ever closer. We’ve got good depth in our squad, which allows us to compete in tournaments like this where the schedule is so hectic.

“We’ve got Korea up next on Friday who play an entirely different style to New Zealand. They have a good short passing game and that will provide a fresh test which we’re all looking forward to.”

SCOTLAND | Shannon Lynn, Frankie Brown, Joelle Murray (Kirsty Smith, 88), Jenny Beattie, Emma Mitchell, Lisa Evans (Jo Love, 61), Leanne Crichton (Caroline Weir, 82), Kim Little, Hayley Lauder (Arnot, 61), Jane Ross (Erin Cuthbert, 61) Christie Murray (Fiona Brown 78).

Unused substitutes: Gemma Fay, Lee Alexander, Leanne Ross