Scotland continued their impressive start to the Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding seven-goal victory over Luxembourg at Hampden Park.
The result completed a dominant double over the same opponents after last week’s 5–0 win in the reverse fixture and leaves Scotland top of Group B4 on goal difference, ahead of Belgium, who defeated Israel 5–0 in the group’s other match.
Scotland needed only 36 seconds to open the scoring.
Kathleen McGovern, handed a start by head coach Melissa Andreatta, reacted quickly inside the box to convert Caroline Weir’s cut-back from close range.
Midfielder Charlotte Newsham, making her first start for Scotland, almost added a second when her header was cleared off the line.
But the hosts doubled their lead after 10 minutes when captain Weir’s cross was flicked on by Jenna Clark and crept over the line via a deflection.
Despite a slight slowdown in momentum, Scotland continued to create chances.
Luxembourg goalkeeper Lucy Schlime produced an excellent save to deny Weir before the hosts struck again just after the half-hour mark.
Newsham’s through ball was parried by Schlime, but McGovern reacted first to tap home her second goal of the afternoon and her fifth in six international appearances.
McGovern had opportunities to complete her hat-trick early in the second half but was unable to take them.
Instead, Clark grabbed her second goal with a near-identical finish to her first, meeting a Weir corner at the near post with a header that Schlime could not keep out.
Luxembourg were fortunate to avoid conceding again shortly afterwards when the ball appeared to cross the line before being cleared in a crowded goalmouth.
Scotland eventually added a fifth with 12 minutes remaining when substitute Lauren Davidson volleyed home Leah Eddie’s cross after slipping unmarked behind the defence.
The hosts continued to press and added two more late goals.
Full-back Emma Lawton turned in another near-post corner during stoppage time, before Maria McAneny completed the scoring with a curling strike from 15 yards that nestled inside the post.
Although the result came against a side ranked far below them in the world standings, Scotland displayed a sharper attacking edge than has sometimes been evident in recent years.
Much of that promise centres on McGovern, whose growing confidence in front of goal strengthens her case to become Scotland’s regular first-choice striker.
For years the team has relied heavily on goals from midfield stars Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert, but the fact neither added to their 24 international goals apiece in this match yet Scotland still scored seven may be viewed as a positive.
Whether Scotland’s tally of 12 goals from two games against Luxembourg proves decisive later in the group remains to be seen.
A much tougher challenge awaits next when they face Belgium, currently ranked 18th in the world and eight places above Scotland.
The outcome of that clash could go a long way to determining who finishes top of Group B4 as the qualification campaign unfolds.
Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "I see a group of players really clear about what they want to do and where they want to go.
"It tells me who we are and the team we want to be. That front-footed team that doesn't hold back, that's relentless. That shows who we are.
"We're going to be aggressive, fast from the start and relentless right until the end. The players kept working hard and demanding from each other."
