Scotland’s football team struggled in a goalless draw against Finland, raising concerns for the next match.
The talented midfielders Weir, Cuthbert, and Sam Kerr were unable to showcase their skills, and forward Martha Thomas hardly had any chances to score. Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay shared her thoughts with BBC Scotland, saying, “We didn’t have that spark.” She emphasized the need for the team’s key players to step up and deliver quality moments that could change the game.
After an impressive performance against Hungary last month, where everything seemed to work perfectly, expectations were high for Scotland’s return to the capital. Unfortunately, they did not meet those expectations, leaving coach Pedro Martinez Losa’s team with a lot to prove in the second leg in Helsinki on Tuesday.
The praise from Scotland’s previous match in Edinburgh was overwhelming. Martinez Losa had acknowledged that they showed their “best version,” while left-back Nicola Docherty expressed that Scotland had regained their “belief and winning mentality.” This confidence carried into their training camp, where the atmosphere was calm yet ready for action.
However, once the match began, Scotland appeared slow and outmatched. If it weren’t for a fantastic save by goalkeeper Eartha Cumings in the first half, the team could have faced a much tougher challenge in Helsinki. Although a draw is not a disaster, former Scotland defender Emma Black felt “deflated.” She remarked, “We’re at home – we should have taken the game to Finland.”
Black noted that Scotland looked nervous and allowed Finland to control the game. One of the standout aspects of the previous match against Hungary was how well Martinez Losa managed to get the midfield trio to perform. On that night, Weir, Cuthbert, and Kerr played exceptionally well. However, against Finland, Kerr was substituted at halftime, while Weir and Cuthbert struggled to make an impact.
The Finnish midfielders were quick to close down Scotland’s players, showing no fear in their approach. Finland’s coach, Marko Saloranta, acknowledged Scotland’s “unbelievable players,” but they did not live up to that reputation in this match. The visitors had more possession, more shots on target, and created better chances throughout the game.
As Weir stated in her post-match interview, “It’s all to play for in Tuesday’s cup final.” Big matches require big performances. Scotland has talented players, but the question remains: will they rise to the occasion?
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