Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Jerez, Spain

Image source, SNS

Sophie Howard says Scotland are "finally developing a belief" they should be on the biggest international stage as they enter their final friendly before World Cup qualification begins.

The Scots face China - who were scudded 8-0 by England on Friday - in Spain on Tuesday night looking to secure just their second win of 2025.

And while Howard admits a win "would be great" to sign off the year, she thinks the performance is more important.

"I think we're finally developing a belief that we should be there," the Como defender told BBC Scotland.

"We're a very humble squad and that's why we get on so, so well, but it's about time that we believe, not only in one another, because I think we've always done that - we've believed in one another more than ourselves.

"Signing off with a win would be great, but more important is a performance.

"We've spoke often this week, and before, about finding a way to win, because I believe potentially sometimes that's what we've been missing a little bit."

Scotland's sole win of the year came away to Morocco in October. A friendly defeat to Switzerland in a seven-goal thriller and Friday's last-gasp draw with Ukraine followed after the Scots picked up just one point in their Nations League A campaign earlier this year.

The squad will meet up again in February to kick off their quest for an appearance at the 2027 World Cup with Group B4 matches against Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg.

"I almost don't want to put too much pressure on us, we need to go out and perform really well," Howard added of tonight's game against China.

"If things go against us and we don't get that result, that doesn't mean we're not ready.

"We just need to use this game as a chance to be as prepared as we can for what's coming."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Jerez, Spain

Image source, PA Media

Melissa Andreatta insists "belief is growing" amongst her squad as Scotland prepare for their final match of the year against China on Tuesday.

The friendly will fall just a day short of the one year anniversary of that night in Helsinki where the Scots failed to qualify for Euro 2025.

It was a result and outcome that devastated the side and one which took them time to recover from.

Under Michael McArdle's interim reign before her, and the five games she has taken charge of, though, Andreatta has seen a fresh and reenergised group.

"I think belief comes through relentless effort and exposure to different experiences," the head coach told BBC Scotland at the team's hotel in Jerez.

"We had that even against Ukraine where we had so much of the ball and were really dominant for most of the game, but just couldn't get that goal that we wanted.

"But, we never stopped and you get belief from situations like that - even when you don't get the win - by knowing you can create chances and take them.

"I think those moments where we come through the other side and experience the pressure, allows the belief to grow both individually and as a collective, and I definitely think the belief is growing amongst the team, and that we'll see plenty of that out there tomorrow night."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Estadio Municipal de Chapin

Image source, SNS

When the whistle blew at the Estadio Municipal de Chapin on Friday afternoon, the draw with Ukraine felt like a Scotland win, such was their last-minute equaliser.

Maria McAneny's finish, with virtually the last kick of the ball, buoyed the Scots who were below par in Jerez.

But one fine performer, was Rachel McLauchlan, who appears to have a new lease of life in a Scotland shirt under Melissa Andreatta.

The Brighton and Hove Albion full-back was flipped in and out of the starting line-up by previous head coach Pedro Martinez Losa, but already appears to have found a fan in Andreatta. And it's reciprocated.

"She's filling the squad with a lot of positivity and belief," McLauchlan told BBC Scotland.

"I feel confident playing under her and I'm really enjoying having her as manager right now.

"I'm just enjoying moments with the girls on the pitch, and that will keep that smile on my face."

McLauchlan's afternoon of work was up by the time the debutant crashed in the equaliser and was just a couple seats down from Andreatta when the Aussie screamed "we never stop" as the celebrations ensued.

"We want to look at that going forward, that we don't give up," she added.

"We give absolutely everything to the last minute and I think we proved that, obviously it's good to get the goal and the draw.

"I think there's lots of things we can take from it and learn from it.

"We need to start figuring out how to win these games going forward, but it's another building block and we'll look forward to the next game."

Image source, Scottish FA

Celtic midfielder Maria McAneny savoured the "amazing feeling" of marking her Scotland debut with a last-gasp equaliser against Ukraine in Spain.

"I'm buzzing to even get called up in the first place, it's a privilege," said the 21-year-old McAneny.

"Even getting on is a privilege. To score is the bonus, honestly. I'm so happy. Unbelievable. Getting the call-up, I was over the moon to come here.

"One thing I said to myself that I want to take away, is to learn something. Even just to get on. I have no words. It's an amazing feeling.

"The girls are lovely. They've been so welcoming. All the staff have been so welcoming. It couldn't have been easier.

"[Celtic team-mate] Emma [Lawton] said just to go and enjoy it, just to take it all in.

"You always learn. The detail is insane. That's the one thing they definitely said, just go and enjoy it. Just be you."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

"I want to see more of that dynamic, athletic, pacey, powerful, technical midfielder Maz is."

It's fair to say Melissa Andreatta is a fan of Maria McAneny.

The Celtic midfielder is enjoying her first Scotland senior squad involvement after being promoted from the Under-23s for friendlies against Ukraine and China and the head coach has challenged the 21-year-old to just be herself.

McAneny has had a fine start to the domestic league season for Elena Sadiku's side and impressed for Scotland Under-23s last month.

"More of the same what she's doing for the under-23s and for her club but at a higher level," the Australian told BBC Scotland.

"It's faster, it's more intense, there's less space and time and that's going to also take time.

"I've spoken about that before when an emerging player is coming to the squad, that you give them the time to thrive and to flourish and we really invest in supporting the players to do that.

"Showing them our playbook before they arrive again so that it's not so unfamiliar to them. Hopefully that helps them - and in this case, Maz - to adapt along with the group being so warm and welcoming as they are.

"I want to see more of that dynamic, athletic, pacey, powerful midfielder or even when she's positioned wider for Celtic that we see Maz bring to a game and she's super technical too.

"In the recent derby, from the left, she was swinging in some beautiful final passes with her non-dominant foot, so I think that balance of technique and athleticism is very interesting to look at."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been talking to the media after selecting her squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ukraine and China.

Here are the key points:

• "Let's build on what we've built so far" is Andreatta's message prior to fixtures that mark Scotland's final preparation before World Cup qualifying starts next year.

• She adds: "Two tough games against teams that are in form, that are flying high in confidence, but so are we. Two teams who are taking these two games very seriously."

• Andreatta - who has one win in her opening four games - is pleased with the progress she has seen since taking charge, but says there are aspects "we need to tighten up", adding: "There's things we can always improve on and with this group, that's what they're hungry to do."

• The former Australia assistant coach called for fans to get behind the men's and women's teams as they seek World Cup qualification: "Doesn't matter if it's a Caroline [Weir] or [Scott] McTominay wearing the tartan blue. Get behind both teams because we're representing you and this nation to do you proud."

• On Aston Villa midfielder Miri Taylor's first call-up after switching allegiance from England, Andreatta says the 25-year-old comes into camp with good form having "shown her qualities". While it is a "very competitive position" in the squad, Taylor's "holding midfield qualities is something want to look at".

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg. The first three obstacles between Scotland and the 2027 World Cup.

Not the best, but not the worst, would be the initial reaction to the draw in Nyon.

Starting from the top, pot one team Belgium are a nation not unfamiliar to Scotland. Two years ago, the countries met in the first iteration of the Nations League in Group A.

Both games finished 1-1 - the only points Scotland picked up in the top tier - but the lasting memory comes from the first meeting at Hampden, when Caroline Weir ruptured her ACL.

That injury meant she missed out on Scotland's meetings with Israel in June 2024 in Nations League B. The Scots didn't need the Real Madrid midfielder's magic, though, as they won 5-0 and 4-1 respectively.

Martha Thomas scored all four goals in the closed-doors game in Budapest.

In the aftermath of the 7 October attack by Hamas and the Israeli government's military response, European football's governing body, Uefa, decided no matches in its own competitions could be held in Israel for security reasons.

As a result, Hungary has mostly been the home of both Israel's men's and women's football teams in the past seven months.

The Scottish FA has been approached for comment regarding the upcoming games against Israel.

When the Israelis came to Hampden, kick-off was delayed as a protestor chained himself to a goalpost.

The lowest-ranked team in the group, Luxembourg, are the nation Scotland have no recent history with. In fact, the sides have never met.

Melissa Andreatta's squad will be hopeful of ensuring there are no slip-ups in the matches against Luxembourg, with Belgium and Israel posing more challenges than perhaps she would have liked.

Wales would have been the preferred Pot 1 team, with Rhian Wilkinson's side on a wretched run of form - as well as now being in the post-Jess Fishlock era.

The recent friendly performance against Switzerland - also a Pot 1 team - has provided reason for optimism and promise in the early days of the Andreatta reign.

This, though, is the real deal. Part one. Let's not even think of the play-offs just yet...

Scotland fans, what do you make of the draw? Let us know your thoughts here.

We asked for your views on Scotland's 4-3 friendly defeat to Switzerland at East End Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Isla: Sterling performance from Scotland. I thought Kirsty Hanson, Kathleen McGovern and Caroline Weir were superb.

Rosealyn: I see lots of positives out of that game. The team looks stronger and more competitive, the results will come soon. Well done girls!

Laura: Absolutely incredible performance from Scotland, such a great team of players, especially McGovern with her goal.

Ali: There's a lot to be positive about based on that showing tonight. Great energy and appetite for goals. Maybe a little narrow early in the first half with players cutting inside and sometimes wanting too long on the ball but overall positive attacking football on show.

Toby: Shame we couldn't win but delighted for Caroline to get her goal at East End. She's done something her fellow Pars fans can only dream of!

Anne-Marie: 'Wasteful' is a bit of an understatement describing Scotland's performance. It was the best display I've seen for a long time by Scotland. They played some good football at times. Created lots of chances and were confident on the ball. Congratulations to the new manager Melissa Andreatta for bringing out the best in these women. In my opinion things can only get better …. Aussie rules!

Caroline Weir scored one and set up two goals on her Dunfermline homecoming, but it was not enough for victory as wasteful Scotland were defeated by Switzerland in an entertaining seven-goal friendly match.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "Lots of positives.

"What you've probably seen was the progress that we've made and a performance heading in the direction we want to go. That's a team that's in form we've played against. Good teams like that are going to punish you when you make mistakes but we're still working on that. Super super pleased with our performance tonight.

This team wants to be a team that wants to attack and defend aggressively. Tonight we saw a team that can control the game and dominate a really good side. It took some great saves and some clearances, some ref calls maybe, to stop us.

We just ran out of time. I honestly believe it was one of those games where we just ran out of time.

"It's a short turnaround between games now so that will be good for us. We'll be together again soon and playing in the next FIFA window and I'm looking forward to that already."

On Kirsty Maclean: "Her nickname's not Ini [Iniesta] for nothing. She's tidy in small spaces, such a calm composed character. We have many like that in our team but for her age and her experience, she just calms things for us.

"That was one of many good performances. They'll leave the pitch disappointed tonight but many positives tonight."