Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Women's Under-19 International Friendly
Belgium 1-2 Scotland 
The Proximus Basecamp, Tubize

Scorers

Belgium 1 (45’ +4 Lotte Vanderhaegen [p])

Scotland 2 (62’ Laura Berry, 90’ Neve McDonald)

Team News

Scotland made eight changes to the side that drew with Belgium at the weekend.

Rowena Armitage, Ashley Robertson, Sophia Martin, Lily Boyce, Darra Dawson, Sienna McGoldrick, Cara Gray, and Izzy Young replaced Braelynn Galt, Ella West, Sophie Black, Laura Berry, Eloise Summers-Mee, Mia McArthur, Olivia Chomzuk and Neve McDonald with Erin Husband captaining the side.

As It Happened

As soon as the game kicked off, both teams created chances, and while Scotland weathered the Belgian press, the game was halted by an injury after a collision between two players in the Belgian box.

With the match restarted, Scotland led with a strong attack where Sophia Martin’s cross gave Izzy Young the chance to play a short pass to tee up Sienna McGoldrick with a chance outside the box, but the shot went wide.

Belgium rallied their own efforts to score, but the Scottish defence held firm and frustrated their opponents, leading to more physical challenges as both teams pressed for an advantage.

Despite the growing tension as the teams clashed in the midfield, Jess Husband weaved her way past several of her opposition as she broke up the wing, deep into the Belgian half, showcasing some technical flair in a game that had become bogged down in heavy tackles.

Although the match had become a more physical encounter, it was a contentious handball decision in the Scotland box against Ashley Robertson that would give Belgium the chance to take the lead.

As Lotte Vanderhagen faced Scotland’s Rowena Armitage in goal, the Belgian guessed correctly and was able to get her name on the scoresheet with a well-taken penalty.

A goal ahead, Belgium pushed to score a second in quick succession, but Erin Husband ensured that would be stopped with an impressive block that would see out the half.

The second half saw several changes to Scotland that had an immediate impact, with chances from the start, as Scotland pushed for an early goal to bring them back into the game.

Jess Husband’s pass through to substitute Laura Berry almost saw the Scots level the score were it not for the last-ditch save by the Belgian keeper.

A strong save by Braelynn Galt stopped the Belgians from scoring again, keeping the game within reach for the eager Scots who looked to get that equaliser.

Scotland’s determination to get back into the game would pay off, as Lily Boyce intercepted a Belgian pass and weaved her way through the opposition defenders.  

Boyce floated a perfect cross to the waiting Laura Berry, who turned and fired a shot across Belgium’s Van De Poel, who could only watch as the ball flew into the back of her net.

The young Scots kept up the pressure against a determined Belgium, who were unwilling to lose on home soil, as both teams sought the winning goal.

Berry broke through the Belgian defence again, feeling the brunt of a heavy tackle that brought her down in the penalty box, although no foul was given as the challenge was waved away for a corner instead.

Scotland’s strong press would again see a pass intercepted; Sophie Black pouncing on a poor ball from Belgium’s Van De Poel saw a stinging shot from the Scot that left the keeper parrying it away, only to face a follow-up from Berry that showed a strong Scotland side pushing for that winner.

The final minutes of the game saw chances fall to both teams, but it would be the persevering Scots, who, having clawed their way back from being a goal down in the first half, got the deserved win.

Ella West played a long ball into space, where Neve McDonald was waiting. McDonald then ran at her opposing number and played through her, before coolly firing a shot from just inside the box that flew past the keeper and left the net rippling to deliver the win for the Scots.

Scotland Team

Rowena Armitage (Braelynn Galt 46’), Jess Husband, Abi Tobin (Ella West 46’), Erin Husband ©, Ashley Robertson (Mia McArthur 84’), Sophia Martin (Sophie Black 46’), Lily Boyce, Darra Dawson (Laura Berry 46’), Sienna McGoldrick (Olivia Chomzuk 61’), Cara Gray (Eloise Summers-Mee 71’), Izzy Young (Neve McDonald 61’).

Substitutes:  Braelynn Galt, Ella West, Sophie Townsley, Sophie Black, Laura Berry, Eloise Summers-Mee, Mia McArthur, Olivia Chomzuk, Neve McDonald.

Unused Substitutes: Sophie Townsley.

Match report John Shiels