Scotland’s First Qualifying Victory as they Defeat Slovakia
Scotland secured their first win in Euro 2025 qualifying with a hard-fought victory over stubborn Slovakia. Sophie Howard’s second-half header proved to be the decisive goal, as she rose highest at the back post to power in Erin Cuthbert’s free-kick. This much-needed win came after a string of disappointing results, including an uninspiring draw against Serbia in their previous match.
The victory has propelled Pedro Martinez Losa’s side to second place in Group B2, trailing Serbia on goal difference. Scotland now have a double header against Israel, the lowest-seeded team in the group, at the end of May. With their dominant possession and limited chances created against Slovakia, there was a sense of unease among the Scottish supporters before Howard’s winner.
Despite their dominance, Scotland struggled to convert their opportunities. Fiona Brown missed two good chances from close range, while Jane Ross had an early header saved by the Slovakia goalkeeper. On the other end, Slovakia threatened with Tamara Moravkova testing Lee Gibson just before halftime and a strong penalty shout waved away in the second half.
However, nerves were finally eased when Sophie Howard guided Cuthbert’s looping free-kick into the net. Although Scotland had chances to extend their lead through Ross and Cuthbert, they ultimately didn’t need more goals to secure the critical win.
Player of the match – Sophie Howard
Sophie Howard was awarded the player of the match for her outstanding performance. The Leicester City defender proved to be Scotland’s biggest threat from set-pieces and showcased her aerial prowess with the winning header. Her contribution in both attack and defense was instrumental in securing Scotland’s long-awaited victory.
Scotland improve but still need more – analysis
This victory was a significant moment for Pedro Martinez Losa and his players. With only one win in their last nine games and no competitive victory in 18 months, Scotland has faced criticism and questions about their ability to score goals. Their last multi-goal performance in a competitive match dates back to September 2022 against the Faroe Islands.
While there were still signs of inconsistency and lack of confidence in this performance, the team showed improvement. Rachel Corsie’s deployment in midfield, on her 150th cap, provided the team with much-needed creativity and better positioning. Sophie Howard once again demonstrated her value in the penalty area, proving to be a reliable threat.
This win is a step in the right direction for Scotland, who are top seeds in their group. However, if they want to secure a top-three finish and advance to the play-offs, they will need to continue improving. The ultimate goal is to qualify for the Euros in Switzerland next year.
Scotland’s upcoming matches against Israel will be crucial in determining their chances of progressing further in the qualifying campaign. The first match will take place at Hampden on 31 May, followed by an away fixture against the same opposition five days later. These matches will provide Scotland with an opportunity to build on their recent success and solidify their position in Group B2.