Scotland Women's Football Team

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to BBC Scotland as Scotland prepare for Saturday night's World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

Here are the key points:

• After leaving it late for a 1-1 draw at home earlier in the week, Andreatta knows "it's a massive challenge" on Saturday, adding "we're going to be asked to give even more in this second game."

• But Andreatta stresses "we'll be ready for it because we've done our homework on them and think we'll be even better than the first game."

• It was a dominant display from the Scots but it took an injury-time equaliser from Kathleen McGovern to secure a point but the Australian insists "the way we finished the game gave us even more confidence and belief in what we're doing and what we want to be doing across 90 minutes".

• The Australian insists the burden of qualification for a World Cup "doesn't exist within this group," and the "mix of experience and energy that's created this perfect storm of power, confidence, strength, bravery that is going to move us forward."

• She adds that there is no talk about the end goal of World Cup qualification and focus is on "the processes" to be in the "best position to earn the right" to be there.

• She says that a sense of "purpose" has been a key development in the squad since she took charge just over a year ago, and adds, "they never stop no matter the situation that they face."

• Team news: Emma Lawton has not travelled as a result of an ankle injury picked up in the draw with Belgium. Kirsty Hanson is back in the squad fully fit.

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Scotland defender Emma Lawton will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium through injury.

The 24-year-old was forced early in the second half of the 1-1 draw against the Belgians at Easter Road on Tuesday night and hasn't travelled with the squad for the away game.

Melissa Andreatta's side are top of their World Cup qualifying group, joint on points with Belgium but with a superior goal difference, after three games.

After facing Belgium at the weekend the Scots will take on Israel in June.

Samuel Ukah
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland striker Kathleen McGovern says playing at Easter Road on Tuesday night "felt like home" as she scored an injury-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their World Cup qualifier.

The Hibs forward is one of the younger players in Melissa Andreatta's squad and wasn't part of the Scotland squad who narrowly missed out on the Euros in 2025, failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup nor was she in the squad as Scotland finished bottom of their group at the 2019 World Cup.

"We kind of don't have that baggage, because we've not had the disappointment for not qualifying," the 23-year-old said.

"I've actually spoken to a lot of the young players, and they kind of feel the same in that sense that we come in relaxed and just want to do the best for our country."

McGovern's leveller on Tuesday night, her sixth goal in seven senior Scotland caps, came after a dominant display from Andreatta's side who failed to convert numerous chances.

The point means Scotland head to Belgium top of the group on goal difference and with a chance to create a gap at the top before the final two games of the first qualifying round.

"Obviously to score for my country every time I score, it's an amazing moment for me and my family," she added.

"But I'm frustrated with myself because I had quite a lot of chances, but delighted to get our team back in it, and we'll take the point.

"It was in the back of my mind, coming to Easter Road. It felt like home, I even texted my gaffer at Hibs to say that it just felt like home, coming back.

"And I think we're unlucky not to come away with three points, to be honest, because I felt that we dominated the game.

"I think it's just the small margins and games, and if we tidy that up, then there's no doubt that we can get three points when we go away."

Samuel Ukah
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta felt her side got what they deserved in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Belgium in their third World Cup qualifier.

Kathleen McGovern's late equaliser kept the Scots' chances of finishing top of the group alive. Andreatta's side are joint on points with Belgium after three games but are top thanks to a superior goal difference.

And the Scotland head coach feels the equaliser was nothing more than her side deserved after a tenacious display.

"I think Scottish folk and our culture is resilient," Andreatta said.

"We don't step back from a challenge. We never stop. That's what I've learned about being here in this great country, and they're reconnecting to that part of their identity and I love it.

"This team has so much potential, and I think anything's possible. Together with their high standards, they'll want to build on what we've seen at the end of that game. I feel like its another step forward, positive and confident.

"We have players playing in top clubs and top leagues that are working hard daily on their craft.

"They'll be pleased with some parts of the game, but they're so humble and hard working and know what it takes to compete with the best."

Scotland had 13 shots throughout the game at Easter Road, compared to Belgium's 11, and enjoyed almost 60% possession but found themselves a goal behind after 15 minutes and remained that way for almost 80 further minutes.

"That goal sort of came against the run of play, we felt," the Australian said.

"The final third is the most challenging area of the park to to be creative and clinical.

"They didn't lose belief, they didn't lose sight of the game plan or their tasks and they were rewarded for it."

Hibs striker McGovern saved the day after numerous missed Scotland chances for her sixth goal in seven Scotland appearances when she scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

"I'm happy with McGovern's performance, very happy", Andreatta said.

"It's the toughest part of the game to be clinical, and we share that responsibility across the team.

"She'll want to lead by example for the team and do all that she can and more.

"But she's also young and young on her journey with this national team, so I'm quite happy with where she's at.

"We share the load with finishing too. So it's not just on McGovern to convert our chances. There's other players too that had chances, and they'll want to contribute more as well."

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Scotland striker Kathleen McGovern: "You can see in the reaction it's a crucial point and we're still in it [winning the group].

"We'll go to Belgium and give it everything.

"I'm a bit frustrated with myself. I had so many chances, but I got the girls back in it, and I can't be too hard on myself. I just believed I was going to get it at the back post, and it was a tap-in really.

"I felt we were on top for the full game. I think we're frustrated not to get three points."

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "It's a good point.

"We know what a top opposition they are. To put it in performance like that when we've gone down, and got frustrated when you haven't put chances away, they stayed in it and what a show for the fans who turned out tonight.

"I really believe in this group, and you see it in the spirit, the actions on the field, and what you don't see is what they're doing off the field in camp and training.

"They're ultimate professionals, and I'm just privileged to work with them.

"It's just that next step, and I think that's going to come, it's inevitable."

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the match here.

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta tells BBC Scotland: "Yeah, it's a good point.

"We know what a top opposition they are.

To put it in performance like that when we've gone down, and got frustrated when you haven't put chances away, they stayed in it and what a show for the fans who turned out tonight.

"I really believe in this group, and you see it in the spirit, the actions on the field, and what you don't see is what they're doing off the field in camp and training.

"They're ultimate professionals, and I'm just privileged to work with them.

"It's just that next step, and I think that's going to come, it's inevitable."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

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Announced on 9 April 2025, Melissa Andreatta hit her one-year anniversary as Scotland head coach last week.

There's been four wins, two draws and two defeats. A new captain, a fair few new faces and a new-found feel-good factor around the squad.

The Australian has immersed herself - and her family - in the country and culture and she still sports the same big smile she did when she was announced as Pedro Martinez Losa's successor.

But how would Andreatta sum up her year with Scotland?

"Positive growth," the head coach said on the eve of her side's World Cup qualifier against Belgium at Easter Road.

"I think I've grown alongside the players and the staff. I think we're bringing the best out of each other - a match made in heaven, I'd say.

"That's what's really nice about it is I think we're all in a position where we're comfortable being uncomfortable and being ourselves, too.

"There's just so many things I could talk about that highlights that, but the number one thing is everyone coming together, talking about football, different ideas, hearing each other and sharing different perspectives, whether it's on the field or off the field.

"It's just a great environment to be in. I know there's more work to do as well and that's the exciting thing, the potential of this team and how much growth there's been, but how much more there is to go.

"They have such high standards for themselves that it's a privilege to work with when you're a coach.

"But I have to say I also feel a combination of pride and a privilege to represent this great nation - so I'm feeling pretty grateful right now."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

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Head coach Melissa Andreatta has been addressing the media before Scotland face Belgium in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday at Easter Road.

Here are the key points she made:

• Andreatta is "500% sure" Scotland will end their wait for a return to a major tournament under her management and would "rather aim high and people know that".

• The head coach insists her players "believe even more than I do" that they'll make the 2027 World Cup and/or Euro 2029 - "they're 501% sure".

• On the back of the news football is now the number one sport among girls and women in Scotland, Andreatta expressed her "pride and thanks" to those before her but stresses "it's our responsibility to shape that and move forward with it".

• Looking to the double-header against Belgium, the Australian says the Scots will "take it one game at a time".

• "Everyone is looking good" for the game at Easter Road after an extended, "positive" camp.

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta is confident of leading her team to their first World Cup since 2019 as they continue their qualification campaign with a double header against Belgium later this month.

The Scots won their first two games against Luxembourg - a 5-0 win in the away leg before a 7-0 victory at home.

Finish in the top three in their group and Scotland will progress to the play-offs, if they win the group they'll claim a higher seeding for the play-offs in the race to reach Brazil 2027.

"I think it's innate in me and who I am that I really believe anything is possible," Andreatta told BBC Women's Football Weekly podcast.

"It's not only about wanting to win but willing to do whatever it takes to win, that's a bit different.

"Everyone wants to win but not everybody is willing to put in the extra yards and the extra hours - this group is. When you know you've done all the work I see it as exciting, as an opportunity to showcase what we've done behind the scenes and light it up.

"Pressure is with us always but it's about learning from it and developing the skills to thrive with it. We talk about it, we recreate scenarios in training and all those experiences together is going to help us to be ready and to shine when it really counts."

After each side won their opening two qualifiers, Scotland and Belgium meet on 14 and 18 April in Group B4 both on six points.

The Scots are at home in the first game and away for the second before a double header against Israel in the summer.

"I think we're ready," Andreatta added.

"It's just going to be fine tuning things and remaining focused on us and what our strengths are to get the result that we want after the two games.

"I'm quite familiar with playing the same team back to back in a window and the opportunity that it gives us is to really consolidate our game plan, continue to strengthen the cohesion among the players and their positions.

"I just see it as a real opportunity to be even better from game to game."

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Scotland are treating their Women's World Cup qualifying double-headers like play-offs, says defender Jenna Clark.

After each side won their opening two qualifiers, Scotland and Belgium meet on 14 and 18 April in Group B4. The Scots are at home in the first game and away for the second.

In June, Scotland play Israel home and away while Belgium meet Luxembourg twice. The top three sides in the section progress to the play-offs.

"It's what a play-off would be and that's how we're treating all these games in this campaign," said Liverpool's Clark, 24.

"It definitely brings a different element - one we probably weren't used to before but I think it's important that we do get used to it because it could be crucial for us.

"We know the level of the teams in this group. It will be a challenging game but one we'll be prepared for."

Reaching next year's finals in Brazil and bringing "that kind of joy to the fans" is a big incentive for Scotland, says Jenna Clark.

Clark referenced the men's team's 4-2 win over Denmark in November, which sealed qualification to this year's World Cup in North America and Mexico.

"You can see how much that meant to the full nation and I was watching the game myself," Clark said.

"It was a great game. If we can bring that kind of joy to the fans as well then that would be massive for us."

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to the media after naming her squad for the Women's World Cup qualifying double-header against Belgium.

Here are the main points:

• Andreatta insists "we'll relish the challenge" of facing the group's top seeds, adding: "That's what this group has done from the outset."

• The head coach says the players are "hungry to be the best they can be so I know going into this window that's what they'll look to do - embrace the challenge and show what we're all about".

• On the pressure of facing a team of Belgium's quality, Andreatta says her players are "playing with high pressure and having to perform under the highest pressure" with their clubs.

• On Hibs striker Kathleen McGovern, who scored three goals in two games against Luxembourg, Andreatta says: "She's an example of the mentality among the group. She's been embraced by the senior players, they've allowed her to be herself and highlight those qualities she has."

• On Caroline Weir, who officially became Scotland captain this year, the boss says: "What I've noticed about her is that she has a real thirst to be the best leader she can be."

• Andreatta is looking forward for her first game at Easter Road and urging fans to come out in their numbers. "What I've learned about Scottish folk is we have a passion and a voice about us," she says.

• Andreatta adds: "This group just want to make you proud and give you something exciting and enjoyable to watch. There's a lot of other stuff that's not so positive and great right now but football can be that release and sense of hope and joy and we want to give that to our Scottish folk."

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Kathleen McGovern is hoping to repay the faith shown in her by Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta by scoring more goals for her country.

The Hibernian forward netted twice as the Scots defeated Luxembourg 7-0 on Saturday in their second World Cup qualifying group game.

McGovern, who missed 13 weeks with injury earlier this season, also scored in Tuesday's 5-0 win in Luxembourg.

And the striker puts a lot of her performance down to the belief instilled in her by Andreatta.

"Mel has given everyone confidence," she said. "She has a real belief and she's fed me that as well.

"Putting on that jersey and representing your country is the proudest thing I've ever done. Every time, no matter if it's starting or coming on, I'll always give my best.

"The 13 weeks was really hard, but obviously Mel having the belief to fling me back into the camp when I hadn't played that many 90 minutes, it just shows the belief she has in me."

There is still a long road to go if Scotland are to secure a place at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

However, McGovern is relishing the chance to play on the world stage for her country.

"I never thought I'd be in a position to say that's my aim," she added. "As a little kid, it's what I've dreamt of. I'm really hoping it happens.

"With the career that I've had, it's spiked in the last few years. This camp has been a bit different because I've not been as high in confidence coming in, but I always try and believe in my ability.

"I know, when I'm giving 110%, I can do things like that tonight [Saturday]. I feel like I'm finding my feet now."