90’+5’Full TimeSecond Half ends, Australia 0, Scotland 1.90’+4’Attempt missed. Alex Chidiac (Australia) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Clare Hunt.90’+3’Corner, Australia. Conceded by Lee Alexander.90’+2’Attempt blocked. Hayley Raso (Australia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Clare Hunt.90’+1’Attempt blocked. Caroline Weir (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kirsty Hanson.90’Attempt missed. Hayley Raso (Australia) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Clare Hunt.90’Attempt saved. Kirsty Hanson (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Caroline Weir.89’Corner, Australia. Conceded by Rachel Corsie.88’Attempt blocked. Hayley Raso (Australia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Clare Hunt.87’Substitution, Scotland. Erin Cuthbert replaces Martha Thomas.86’Attempt missed. Hayley Raso (Australia) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Clare Hunt.85’Corner, Australia. Conceded by Rachel Corsie.84’Attempt blocked. Clare Hunt (Australia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hayley Raso.
Scotland produced an impressive performance as they defeated World Cup hosts Australia in London, with Nicola Docherty scoring her second goal for her country with a long-range drive off the post and into the top corner. The Scots were well worth their win and had a string of further chances to add to their lead, while Australia hit the crossbar twice but could not find an equalizer. This result will be a huge confidence booster for Scotland ahead of their Nations League and Euro 2025 qualifying campaigns, beating a side who are aiming to win the World Cup in July.
The strength of the Australian team was clear, with Chelsea star Sam Kerr being left on the bench despite Caitlin Foord’s injury-enforced absence. In front of a crowd of 2,136 in South London, Scotland had to withstand early pressure before creating two huge chances of their own; Emma Watson, making her Scotland debut at just 17, charged down a clearance and Kirsty Hanson picked out Martha Thomas in space, but goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was equal to her effort and Thomas sent her next chance over the bar.
Sam Kerr then shot wide of a post from distance and Watson had a shot blocked before Caroline Weir’s volley was stopped by a timely intervention. Half-time arrived with Scotland in the ascendency and two minutes after the restart they took the lead; Docherty saw Arnold off her line and launched the ball towards the top corner from the edge of the box only for it to bounce off the upright and in.
Australia then pushed for an equalizer and Cortney Vine and Clare Hunt both rattled the crossbar, while Lee Gibson had to get down low to deny Mary Fowler and Larissa Crummer. Scotland then broke and had a great chance to make it 2-0 when Weir and captain Claire Emslie linked up to lay the ball on a plate for Thomas, but she poked the ball the wrong side of the post. Gibson saved from Raso and Alex Chidiac was inches away from the far post as Scotland again were forced back, but Hanson played a one-two with Weir and Arnold had to tip her shot over as Scotland held on for a memorable victory.
Player of the match was Nicola Docherty for her stunning goal which sealed Scotland’s win. Scotland host Costa Rica at Hampden on Tuesday 11 April (19:45 BST), while Australia take on England at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium at the same time.