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Scotland mauled by rampant Germany  

Germany 6 (Cerci 51’, 57’, 76’, Hoffmann 64’, 65’, Freigang 67’)

Scotland 1 (Weir 41’)  

The old cliché of football being a ‘game of two halves’ could not have been more evident in Wolfsburg after Germany, abysmal in the first half,

were scintillating in the second and blew Scotland away with a six-goal blitz after the break.

 

Despite a spirited first-half display from the visitors, who took the lead through Caroline Weir, Germany’s clinical and ruthless finishing after the break proved decisive.

Scotland’s interim manager Michael McArdle made four changes to the side that suffered a 4-0 defeat to Germany in their previous encounter on Friday. Eilidh Adams, Martha Thomas, and Amy Rodgers were named on the bench, with Amy Muir, Kirsty Hanson, and Lauren Davidson coming into the starting line up. Leah Eddie was absent from the matchday squad, while Sophie Howard marked her 60th cap for Scotland.

The opening exchanges saw Scotland match Germany’s intensity, nearly taking an early lead when Caroline Weir’s curling left footed effort forced a smart save from goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Germany responded quickly, as Selina Cerci turned neatly in the box but sent her shot over the bar.

Scotland’s attacking intent was evident early on. Kirsty Hanson came close to finding Claire Emslie with a cross, only for Berger to intervene. Moments later, Hanson linked up with Weir and Emslie, but Emslie’s shot from the edge of the box was comfortably held by Berger. Emslie had another chance after a tenacious challenge from Lauren Davidson led to a precise pass from Erin Cuthbert, though Berger again proved equal to the task.

Sydney Lohmann’s dangerous cross was met by Giulia Gwinn, but Emma Lawton’s crucial touch diverted the ball for a corner. Scotland remained resolute though and took the lead in the 41st minute. Cuthbert’s tenacity in midfield set Emslie free, who in turn found Hanson. Hanson’s low shot was parried by Berger and then, as the German defence hesitated, Weir reacted quickest to slot home and give Scotland a deserved advantage at the break.

The second half saw Germany completely transform their performance. Just four minutes after the restart, substitute Giovanna Hoffmann struck the post following an underhit pass by Howard and from the resulting corner, Cerci rose to head home Gwinn’s delivery and level the score. Six minutes later, Germany took the lead. Substitute Sjoeke Nüsken’s crossfield pass found Marina Linder, whose inviting cross was headed back across goal by Laura Freigang. Hoffmann’s header hit the bar, but Cerci was on hand to fire in the rebound.

Germany’s relentless pressure led to a devastating three-minute spell. In the 64th minute, Lohmann’s precise pass allowed Hoffmann to cleverly flick the ball past Lee Gibson for a 3-1 lead. Barely a minute later, Hoffmann netted her second, latching onto Freigang’s pinpoint pass. Freigang then turned scorer, converting Jule Brand’s low cross with a deft back heel to make it 5-1.

Scotland’s hopes of reducing the arrears were dented further when a penalty appeal was dismissed in the 72nd minute after Hanson appeared to be clipped by Sara Kleinherne in the area. Germany capitalised on their momentum, with Cerci completing her hat-trick in style. Following a strong run from Freigang, Cerci latched onto a loose ball and rifled a first time shot into the top corner.

Germany continued to push for more, with Freigang nearly adding a seventh, only for Gibson to produce a superb save to tip her effort wide. Despite Scotland’s valiant first half performance, Germany’s ruthless finishing in the second half secured a comprehensive victory.

Scotland will look to regroup after this defeat, while Germany’s clinical display serves as a statement of their attacking prowess.  

Germany: Ann-Katrin Berger, Giulia Gwinn (sub Paulina Krumbiegel 80mins), Franziska Kett (sub Sarai Linder 45mins), Sophia Kleinherne, Janina Minge, Elisa Senß (sun Sjoeke Nusken 55mins), Sydney Lohmann (sub Sara Dabritz 68mins), Jule Brand, Laura Freigang, Selina Cerci, Lea Schüller (sub Giovanna Hoffman 45mins). Subs not used: Stina Johannes, Rafaela Borggrafe, Cora Zicai, Linda Dallman, Alara, Klara Buhl, Sara Doorsoun.  

Scotland: Lee Gibson, Emma Lawton, Amy Muir (sub Kirsty Smith 65mins), Sophie Howard, Jenna Clark, Rachel McLauchlan (sub Emma Watson 74mins), Caroline Weir (sub Chelsea Cornet 74mins), Kirsty Hanson, Erin Cuthbert, Claire Emslie, Lauren Davidson (sub Martha Thomas 65mins), Subs not used: Sandy MacIver, Eartha Cumings, Eilidh Adams, Freya Gregory, Amy Rodgers, Kirsty MacLean.