Scotland Women pick up valuable World Cup point on the road as two players dominate

Scotland Women picked up a valuable point in their quest to reach next year’s World Cup with a 0-0 draw away at Belgium.

Melissa Andreatta’s side remain top of Group B4 in the qualifiers after hard-fought clash at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven. They are on eight points alongside the Belgians but have a better goal difference by four. Israel are third on six points, with Luxembourg bottom on zero.

Scotland are assured a top-three finish and a place in the play-offs, although their seeding depends on where they finish in the group. Their next two matches are against Israel in June and Andreatta will be pleased with where her team sits going into those ties.

Scotland's goalkeeper Sandy MacIver punches the ball clear during the match against Belgium. | Belga/AFP via Getty Images

Much like at Easter Road on Tuesday in a 1-1 draw, there was little to separate the two teams. Both goalkeepers were in excellent form, with Scotland’s Sandy MacIver made a series of fine saves, the best from a Mariam Toloba header in the second period.

Amy Muir so nearly grabbed a winner for Scotland towards the end of the match, only to be denied by excellent reflexes from Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.

After the match, Andreatta said in an interview with the BBC: "I think it reveals they're character and what they're all about.

"We just try to create an environment where they can thrive. What I'm pleased about especially is that we improved over the games, we had more shots, more shots on target, higher xG and that's an improvement on the last game. The next step is to get the result.

"It was chaotic at times but I think we saw a really professional, mature, experienced performance. That's not determined by age, that's by them buying into what we're doing.

"It's not bad at all and now it's all about recovery. They've got big games with their clubs and they'll make sure they remain fit and in form for the next window.

"Sandy MacIver was unbelievable. The saves she made were exceptional and is a launchpad to win games. That's what gets you to major tournaments so hats off to you.”

A good point for Scotland

Scotland defender Nicola Docherty said: "I guess you could say that [it's a good point].

"They had chances, Sandy made some really good saves but it was frustrating because I think we created enough to win the game. They're a team that go to major tournaments, were in League A, and we still could have nicked it.

"We've come a long way. The team is improving every time we meet up, we work so hard on the pitch and off the pitch for these moments. I thought tonight we could have nicked it but we'll take the draw and know we've got important games coming up as well."

MacIver added: "They're hard games to enjoy because you've got to stay so focused. I thought everyone at the back was brilliant and made my life a little bit easier. You've got to be happy with the clean sheet.

"I couldn't see anything that was going on [at the other end] but I was just hoping we'd end up scoring. It just shows we're creating chances which we maybe struggled to do before.

"They're a good team, they were at the last Euros, they've got world class players so I think it's good we've come away with two points. We maybe could have had more but it's two games that we've not lost."

The World Cup next summer takes place in Brazil from June 24 until July 25.

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