Scotland secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Hungary in the Euro 2025 play-off first leg, thanks to Martha Thomas’ decisive goal in the second half. This win marked Scotland’s sixth consecutive competitive victory, putting them in a favorable position for the second leg.
The match started off slowly, with Scotland struggling to find their rhythm in the first half. Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir had a notable chance that forced a save from the Hungarian goalkeeper, but overall, Scotland failed to create many opportunities.
Head coach Pedro Martinez Losa made a key substitution at half-time, bringing on Kirsty Smith for Kirsty Hanson. This change allowed for a tactical shake-up that proved to be effective, as Claire Emslie won a free-kick that led to Thomas’ winning goal.
Despite the victory, there were concerns about Scotland’s midfield trio of Cuthbert, Kerr, and Weir, who, on paper, are a world-class combination but struggled to find cohesion on the field. Martinez Losa has been working to find the right balance in midfield, but consistency remains an issue for the team.
While the win was a positive result for Scotland, there were still moments of vulnerability, particularly in defense. The coach will need to address these issues ahead of the second leg against Hungary to secure their spot in the final playoff round.
Looking ahead, Scotland will need to build on this victory and deliver a strong performance in the next match to advance in the Euro 2025 qualifiers. The team has the talent and potential to succeed, but they will need to work on their consistency and teamwork to achieve their goals in the competition.
