Hungary v Scotland
UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers – Round 1 Play-Off
Friday, 25 October, KO 5.15pm (UK)
Bozsik Arena, Budapest     

Scotland travel to Budapest in the first leg of their round one play-off against Hungary as they bid to secure a spot at next summer’s European Championships in Switzerland.

Pedro Martinez Losa’s side completed the qualification group stages in style with a 1-0 win over Serbia securing a fifth successive victory and a place in the play-off rounds. The winners of this week’s double-header will face either Montenegro or Finland in the final round of qualifiers next month.

Scotland have played Hungary three times in the past three years, winning both fixtures in qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against them and drawing 0-0 in the most recent meeting at the 2022 Pinatar Cup.

Goals from Erin Cuthbert and Martha Thomas secured a 2-0 victory in Hungary in September 2021, in what was Pedro Martine Losa’s first fixture as Scotland Head Coach.

Hungary go into the game with 3 defeats in the group stages but a notable 1-0 win against Switzerland.

Team news

Caroline Weir and Emma Watson return to the squad along with Emma Mukandi, Lauren Davidson, Rachel McLauchlan and Kath Hill. Captain Rachel Corsie is out following knee surgery and Shannon McGregor has received her first senior call-up.

Pre-match thoughts

Speaking ahead of her Scotland return, midfielder Caroline Weir: “It feels amazing to be back. I've been looking forward to this for the last couple of weeks.

“I actually had my eye on these fixtures since I got injured. It really has felt like such a long time away but I'm just so happy to be back with the team and wearing the Scotland tracksuit - it feels great”

Looking toward the tie with Hungary and potential qualification for the Euros, Weir added: "I believe in this team, I believe in the squad.

“Everything we’ve worked on has led us to this point. We really believe and hope that it's going to be this time."

Head Coach, Pedro Martinez Losa: "Firstly, it’s about doing the things well that we have been doing…being defensively solid, not conceding goals, scoring goals and doing it more consistently.

"We are a team who are very aggressive in the high press and in off-the-ball areas and we are becoming much better in the final third – so we want to be that team.

"It’s also about the team that we want to be in the future and the team that we must be to qualify. We want to give the best version of ourselves with our best players, there’s no time to focus on anything else other than competing and performing and that’s what we’re focussed on.

"We enjoy the pressure of competing for the big things, for the dream of qualifying for a major tournament and that dream is bigger than anything else."

Where to watch

BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer

Scotland Squad

Eartha Cumings FC Rosengard
Jenna Fife Rangers
Lee Gibson Glasgow City
Jenna Clark Liverpool
Nicola Docherty Rangers
Kathy Hill Rangers
Sophie Howard Leicester City
Rachel McLauchlan Brighton & Hove Albion
Emma Mukandi London City Lionesses
Kirsty Smith West Ham Utd
Erin Cuthbert Chelsea
Lisa Evans Glasgow City
Sam Kerr FC Bayern
Shannon McGregor Celtic
Jamie-Lee Napier Bristol City
Amy Rodgers Bristol City
Caroline Weir Real Madrid
Lauren Davidson SK Brann
Claire Emslie Angel City
Kirsty Hanson Aston Villa
Brogan Hay Rangers
Martha Thomas Tottenham Hotspur
Emma Watson Manchester United