Scotland’s hopes of Euro 2025 qualification have been ended after a 2-0 defeat in opposition to Finland in Helsiniki.
The 2 sides drew 0-0 within the first leg at Easter Highway, establishing a winner-takes-all conflict within the Bolt Enviornment.
Finnish defender Natalia Kuikka gave the house aspect the lead within the eighth minute and Nea Lehtola added a second after 28 minutes.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s aspect couldn’t discover the aim to mount a possible fightback and must watch the event in Switzerland from their armchairs.
Having missed out on the Euros in 2022 and the World Cup a 12 months later, it’s one other bitter blow for the Scots to once more fail to succeed in a serious event.
And after yet one more dose of disappointment questions could be requested in regards to the Spanish boss, who has a contract till 2027.
Scotland didn’t attain the heights within the first leg however had been unbeaten of their earlier 9 video games.
Nonetheless, the hosts pushed laborious from the kick-off and Lehtola rattled the crossbar with an effort earlier than Sanni Franssi missed an open aim with the rebound.
Nonetheless, Marko Saloranta’s group quickly took the lead when Kuikka picked up the ball 30 yards from aim and despatched an unstoppable shot excessive previous Scotland ‘keeper Eartha Cumings to take management of the tie.
The breakthrough stung the Scots into life and the second aim was in opposition to the run of play, with unmarked midfielder Lehtola driving in from the sting of the field with a assist of a deflection off Sophie Howard.
Simply earlier than the break Scotland gamers appealed for a Finland handball contained in the field however referee Ewa Augustyn ignored the pleas.
Sam Kerr slammed a shot in opposition to the submit three minutes after the restart to present Scotland encouragement and the guests saved chasing the sport, at instances taking dangers in doing so.
The Scots obtained into the Finland field on a number of events however couldn’t get the aim that will have turned the tide and but once more, they are going to miss out on a serious event.
Martinez Losa needs to remain as boss
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Scotland ladies’s boss Pedro Martinez Losa on the 2-0 defeat to Finland that ended their Euros hopes and what the outcome means for his future.
Martinez Losa insisted after the sport he stays dedicated to Scotland regardless of his aspect’s failure to succeed in Euro 2025.
The 48-year-old was appointed boss in July 2021 and his contract takes him to 2027, however after one other qualifying failure – Scotland final reached a serious event in 2019 – questions shall be requested of the Spaniard.
However he mentioned after the defeat: “I am committed to this group and committed to the development of the players.
“What I can management is my dedication to the gamers – all of the opinions and choices, I do not management them.
“I signed a contract, I have a commitment to the staff and the players, there’s no reason not to continue.”
In the meantime, Scotland captain Caroline Weir mentioned the sport got here right down to “a couple of moments that weren’t in our favour”.
She mentioned: “The team couldn’t have done much more. Unfortunately we’ve not done enough, it’s a really tough one to take.
“It is actually laborious to digest for the time being, it wasn’t our night time. We have labored so laborious within the final couple of years to be on this place and sadly we could not take that ultimate step.
“The players have worked so hard but it wasn’t enough.”
