Scotland are four points behind the top two sides in their UEFA Women’s EURO qualifying group, with three games left each, after a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Lisbon.
Ana Borges struck with 20 minutes remaining, as the hosts went level on points with leaders Finland, whom Scotland host on Tuesday.
Erin Cuthbert and Kim Little both fired over the top in the first half, while Lee Alexander’s save kept the game scoreless at the break.
Kirsty Hanson saw her shot deflected into the side-netting as Scotland turned up the heat but the only goal would come at the other end, as a scuffed shot from Borges went underneath Alexander.
A strong Lisa Evans run led to a chance for Martha Thomas but Patricia Morais was quick of her line to smother the shot.
Scotland next face Finland on Tuesday 1 December, kick-off 7.30pm and live on BBC ALBA.
Portugal: Morais, Mendes, Rebelo, Costa, Marchao, T Pinto (Faria 78), D Silva (Marquez 90), F Pinto, Neto (Norton 81), Borges, Silva.
Unused substitutes: Pereira, Correia, Gomez, , Nazareth, Mendes, Capeta, Costa, Amado.
Scotland: Alexander, Mitchell (Docherty, 45), Corsie, Beattie, Boyle, Little, Weir, Crichton (Thomas, 54), Evans, Hanson (Arnot, 78), Cuthbert.
Unused substitutes: Lynn, Fife, Godfrey, Ross, Arthur, Howard, Kerr, Brown, Graham
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