Scotland defied all the odds to come back from 2-0 down to secure a famous win in Kielce, against Poland, reports scottishfa.co.uk.
Trailing 2-0 late in the second half, Scotland kept their hopes of automatic qualification for the FIFA 2019 Women’s World Cup alive thanks to goals from Kim Little, Jane Ross and a last minute winner from Lisa Evans.
The three goals were all scored in a staggering 11 minute period.
The match was an historic occasion for Scotland captain Rachel Corsie, who made her 100th appearance for her country, having made her debut against France in 2009.
The game started poorly for Scotland and with only five minutes on the clock, they found themselves 1-0 down.
A Lee Alexander clearance was picked up by Poland on the edge of the box and Dzesika Jaszek lobbed the Glasgow City number one with her attempted cross.
Scotland’s heads weren’t to drop though and they proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half.
Lisa Evans looked dangerous down the right flank and combined well with Erin Cuthbert who led Scotland’s line and terrorised the Polish central defenders – so much so that the Chelsea forward was subject to a number of robust defensive challenges that went unpunished from the referee.
Christie Murray operated in front of the Scotland defence and on a foray forward after half an hour she saw a long range shot go wide of the target.
At the break, Poland led 1-0 despite 40 minutes of Scottish dominance.
Scotland continued to look dangerous at the start of the second half, with Kim Little back to her best, but incredibly found themselves two goals behind.
A deep cross ball was met by Sophie Howard who was at full stretch in her attempt to put the ball behind for a corner but inadvertently found the back of the net.
Scotland were not to be defeated though and turned things around in astonishing fashion in the closing stages.
The comeback began on 78 minutes. Kim Little found the back of the net from distance when her free-kick sailed through a ruck of bodies and evaded the goalkeeper.
Not content to settle for the draw, Scotland continued to press and were rewarded for their positivity with a memorable winner in the 89th minute.
Lisa Evans collected the ball on the left wing, cutting inside and finding the far corner with a low, composed shot on the run to give Scotland the three points they craved and so richly deserved.
WATCH | @LisaEvans_17 completes the comeback on 90 minutes to seal a 3-2 win for Scotland. #SWNT #OurGirlsOurGame
pic.twitter.com/kmw0yOBWd8— Scotland (@ScottishFA) June 12, 2018
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Match winner Lisa Evans said: “We were knocking on the door the whole game and we always knew there was a chance we could come back. Before we scored the first we had already hit the crossbar and the post.
“Once we scored the first after 78 minutes we just grabbed the ball and knew there was a chance we could do it.
“For my goal, Caroline gave me the ball and i just ran at the full-back. I was lucky enough to get past her and slot into the bottom corner.
“With our attacking threat we know we can create something out of nothing. We did that a few times today.
“We’ve done the job so we’re chapping on the door and know that if we can get a result against Switzerland it could be enough.
“We just need to be switched on and do the business.”
What’s next?
Scotland will now go into their final fixtures of the campaign at home to Switzerland and away to Albania knowing that two wins in their last two games would potentially secure qualification for their first ever World Cup.
Poland: Kiedrynek (Captain), Sikora, Jaszek (Matuschewski, 57), Gusciora, Kamczyk (Tarczynska, 57), Siwinska, Winczo, Grabowska, Daleszczyk (Matysik, 72), Grad, Wiankowska.
Unused substitutes: Szymanksa, Pozerska, Chudzik, Mesjasz
Scotland: Alexander, Mitchell, Corsie (C), Beattie, Little, Weir, Evans, Howard, Murray (Ross, 67), Fiona Brown (Arnot, 75), Cuthbert.
Unused substitutes: Lynn, Love, Lauder, Arthur, Clelland
