Scotland 2 – 1 Venezuela
International Friendly
Monday, 14 November 2022
Estadio Antonio Bardillo, Arcos de la Frontera, Spain

Scotland – K Clark 36’, Emslie 41’

Venezuela – Castellanos 58’

Team news

It was an entirely different starting XI for Pedro Martinez Losa’s side against Venezuela, with the exception of Erin Cuthbert who retained her spot. The only player unavailable for selection was Abi Harrison, goal-scorer against Panama, who picked up a knock during the match.

As it happened

Martha Thomas got proceedings underway on a balmy night in Southern Spain. Brown and Emslie asked early questions of the Venezuela defence down both flanks, but it was Cuthbert who had the first shot on goal of the evening – an effort from distance which flew just wide of the near post.

Garrido almost connected with a long ball over the top for Venezuela on 9 minutes, but Fife comfortably cleared the danger.

Scotland controlled possession in the opening quarter of the game, passing the ball with ease and dominating across the pitch.

Weir attempted to break the deadlock on 18 minutes, weaving through the midfield, Emslie laid the ball off on the edge of the box, but Weir’s shot was collected by goalkeeper, Caceres.

Scotland had the ball in the net in the 27th minute, Brown receiving Emslie’s cross, but the referee awarded a foul on the goalkeeper and the goal was disallowed. Venezuela attempted to find a way through on the half hour mark, but Cuthbert ushered away the danger from inside the 18-yard box.

Corsie looked set to unleash a shot from close-range on 34 minutes, but the offside flag halted the captain’s proceedings. Scotland only had to wait a few more minutes to break the deadlock though, Weir swung a corner in from the right side and Clark headed home at the near post on 36 minutes.

Murray looked to double Scotland’s lead on 38 minutes but blasted a shot high and wide into the night sky. Goal number two came in the 41st minute as Brown swung the ball into the box from the right and an Emslie header made it 2-0.

A comfortable opening 45 minutes for Pedro Martinez Losa’s side, which continued into the early stages of the second-half.

Emslie continued to menace down the left creating headaches for the opposing defence. Venezuela with a few good attempts to get back in the game as the second-half progressed. Castellanos broke away in the 52nd minute but couldn’t make it count as Corsie and Docherty combined to clear the ball. Speckmaier had the ball in the net inside the 56th minute but was flagged for offside by the assistant referee.

Venezuela got a goal back in the 58th minute, Castellanos beating Fife from just inside the half-way line. The South Americans enjoyed a buoyant spell after their goal, with the crowd firmly behind them.

A triple-substitution for Scotland came on 70 minutes, Arthur, Hay and Hanson replaced Cuthbert, Brown and Thomas.

Emslie was on the hunt for her second goal of the night in the 73rd minute, but Caceres got down well to make the save from 6-yards out. Substitutes Hanson and Hay have an immediate impact  as both got shots away in quick succession with one deflected and the other denied by the woodwork.

Scotland pressed for a third goal inside the last 10 minutes, McLauchlan persisted down the right to assist the advancing Hay but to no avail. Hanson created opportunities but was unable to capitalise.

Scotland emerge winners 2-1 winners to round off a successful hybrid winter training camp in Spain with first full Scotland caps for Hay and McAllister.

Teams

Scotland: Fife, McLauchlan, Corsie (c), K.Clark (Howard 88’), Docherty, Cuthbert (Arthur 70’), Murray, Weir (McAllister 84’), Brown (Hay 70’), Emslie (Davidson 88’), Thomas (Hanson 70’)

Unused subs: Gibson, Cumings, Eddie, Kerr, Muir, J. Clark, Smith

Venezuela: Caceres, Souto, Romero, Gamboa, Castillo, Flores, Carrasco, Castellanos ©, Garrido, Speckmaier, Leon

Unused Subs: Calderon, Gutierrez, Villamizar, Davila, Camacaro, Avila, Garcia, Sequera, Silva, Gomez, Hernandez