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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

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Kath strikes late to earn Scotland draw

Scotland 1 (McGovern 90’)

Belgium 1 (Kees 15)  

att: 4,522; at Hibernian F.C.

Scotland earned a hard fought point against Belgium thanks to a dramatic stoppage time equaliser from Kathleen McGovern in a rain-lashed encounter at Leith.

Melissa Andreatta made three changes to the side that thrashed Luxembourg in their previous outing, with Emma Lawton, Kirsty McLean and Freya Gregory coming into the starting line-up in place of Charlotte Newsham, Maria McAneny and Kirsty Hanson, who was absent from the matchday squad entirely.

Scotland began brightly in the wet conditions, creating an early opening when quick thinking from Lawton on a throw-in released Caroline Weir behind the Belgium defence. Weir’s resulting corner caused panic in the Belgian box as goalkeeper Nicky Evrard flapped at the delivery, though the ball dropped just beyond the onrushing Miri Taylor.

The hosts were unable to build on their promising start, and the game settled into a cagey spell with few clear chances for either side. Against the run of play however, Belgium took the lead in the 15th minute. Tessa Wullaert’s corner evaded several Scotland shirts at the near post before falling perfectly for Sari Kees, who slotted the ball past a helpless Sandy MacIver.

Scotland responded positively and fashioned a good opportunity seven minutes later. Neat interplay between Lawton and Weir released the former down the right, and her low cross found Erin Cuthbert, whose strike was miscued and sailed harmlessly wide for a goal kick.

The Scots continued to dominate possession and territory, though Belgium remained dangerous on the break. Wullaert nearly set up a second when she whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal, forcing Rachel McLauchlan to slice narrowly wide under pressure.

Scotland spurned their best chance of the first half just after the half hour mark. Freya Gregory drove to the goal line and delivered a low cross which the Belgian defence failed to clear properly. The ball fell to Kathleen McGovern, who somehow headed over from point blank range.

The hosts’ relentless pressure continued, and they came closest to levelling six minutes before the break. Weir fed Miri Taylor, who outmuscled her marker before shooting; the effort took a wicked deflection and looked destined to loop over Evrard, but the PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper showed excellent athleticism to tip the ball over the bar.

Scotland started the second half strongly, with Weir’s corner evading Evrard and falling to McGovern at the back post, however the striker was unable to generate enough power on her header to trouble the net.

As the half progressed, chances became scarcer. Scotland found themselves in several promising positions but struggled to deliver the decisive final ball, while Belgium successfully slowed the tempo of the game. Captain Caroline Weir went close on 75 minutes, cutting in from the left and unleashing a powerful drive that dipped just too late to find the top corner. The effort seemed to inject fresh energy into the Scottish attack, and moments later McLauchlan was picked out in the penalty area but could not apply the finish. Central defender Jenna Clark then headed a superb cross from Cuthbert straight at Evrard, adding to Scotland’s frustration.

It appeared the hosts would be left to rue their missed opportunities, but their persistence was finally rewarded in the fifth minute of added time. Substitute Lauren Davidson delivered a dangerous cross that bypassed three Belgian defenders and goalkeeper Evrard, allowing McGovern to race in and force the ball into the empty net.

McGovern’s dramatic late strike earned Scotland a valuable point. Despite dominating large periods of the match and creating numerous chances, the result leaves the SWNT at the top of League B Group 4 ahead of Saturday’s return fixture against Belgium.  

Scotland: Sandy MacIver, Emma Lawton (sub Amy Muir 53mins), Rachel McLauchlan (sub Chelsea Cornet 87mins), Jenna Clark, Nicola Docherty, Caroline Weir, Miri Taylor (sub Kirsty Howat 87mins), Kirsty MacLean (sub Lauren Davidson 64mins), Freya Gregory, Erin Cuthbert, Kathleen McGovern. Subs not used: Lee Gibson, Eartha Cumings, Sophie Howard, Mia McAulay, Georgia Brown, Charlotte Newsham, Jodi McLeary, Eilidh Adams.  

Belgium: Nicky Evrard, Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak, Janice Cayman, Zenia Mertens, Jill Janssens, Valesca Ampoorter (sub Lore Jacobs 83mins), Mariam Toloba (sub Marie Detruyer 67mins), Jarne Teulings (sub Aurelie Reynders 67mins), Tessa Wullaert, Hannah Eurlings (sub Kassandra Missipo 83mins). Subs not used: Diede Lemey, Lowiese Seynhaeve, Amy Littel, Isabelle Illiano, Elena Dhont, Luna Vanzeir, Constance Brackman, Jasmien Mathys.