Belgium Scotland
UEFA Nations League: Group A1
Friday, 1 December
Den Dreef Stadium, Leuven

Scorers:

Belgium 1: (Detruyer 31')

Scotland 1: (Cuthbert 34')

Team news

Scotland Head Coach Pedro Martinez Losa made two changes from the side who lost narrowly to Netherlands last time out. Rachel Corsie - who started in midfield in that match - reverted back to her usual centre-back position, as Sophie Howard made way and Sam Kerr returned from injury into central midfield.

Martha Thomas also returned the starting line up in place of Kirsty Hanson. 

As it happened

It had been an improved performance from the Scots against the Netherlands and they began brightly in Leuven, enjoying most of the possession in the early stages.

Fiona Brown then had the first chance of the game in the 7th minute as her ball was clawed away by Belgium Nicky Evrard as it threatened to creep in at the near post. 

Belgium's first chance came just after a quarter of an hour as Tessa Wullaert curled a right-footed effort narrowly wide of the far corner.

Scotland responded well though and passed up a great chance on 20 minutes. Claire Emslie cut the ball back invitingly for Erin Cuthbert but she was put under pressure and was only able to sidefoot straight at Evrard.

Scotland continued to threat the Belgian box but it was the hosts who took the lead against the run of play on the half hour mark. 

They worked it neatly out wide, allowing Wullaert to cut the ball back for Marie Detruyer who side footed the ball into the corner to make it 1-0.

But Scotland hit back in emphatic fashion, equalising within three minutes. 

Cuthbert had been Scotland's stand-out performer in the first half and she brought the scores level, striking an unstoppable effort high into the centre of the goal from fully 25 yards. 

After a fairly even end to the first half, Scotland were inches away from taking the lead in the 51st minute. Cuthbert was involved again as her corner was flicked on by Fiona Brown to Jenna Clark who nodded just wide from six yards out.

Emslie then came close moments later as she ran onto Lisa Evans' lay off and curled a shot just wide of the left hand post from just inside the box.

The dangerous Wullaert offered a reminder of the home side's threat, producing a low stop from Sandy MacIver before seeing another powerful effort blocked.

Martinez Losa made two changes on the hour mark, introducing Abi Harrison and Kirsty Hanson for Thomas and Emslie.

It was Harrison who almost made the instant impact, volleying over at the far post after a free-kick was only partially cleared.

Amy Gallacher was introduced for Brown as Scotland pushed for a winner and - like Harriso - she was presented with a chance almost straight away. Hanson's fizzing low cross found the striker free at the back post but she could only stab wide.

Hayley Lauder also came on with 20 minutes remaining as she returned to the national fold.

Both sides pushed for a winner but the teams could not be separated as the match ended 1-1 behind the sides for the second time in this campaign.

Despite producing an impressive performance in Leuven, a draw was not enough to prevent Scotland from suffering elimination to League B in the UEFA Women's Nations League.

Next up

Scotland's UEFA Women's Nations League concludes on Tuesday as we welcome England at Hampden Park. Tickets for the match can still be bought here.

Teams 

Belgium: Evrard, Cayman, Tysiak, De Caigny, Kees, Deloose, Vanhaevermaet, Detruyer (Delacauw 69), Missipo, Blom (Janssens 69), Wullaert

Unused substitutes: Philtjens, Van Belle, Wijnants, Iliano, Lemey, Daniels, Vangheluwe, Littel, Lichtfus

Scotland: MacIver, Corsie, Clark, Docherty, Kerr, Evans, MacLean (Lauder 69), Cuthbert, Brown (Gallacher 69), Emslie (Hanson 58), Thomas (Harrison 58)

Unused substitutes: Gibson, Mukandi, Howard, Fife, McLauchlan, Rodgers, Davidson, Napier