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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Martinez Losa remains committed to role despite Euro 2025 playoff heartbreak

Manager Pedro Martinez Losa has reaffirmed his dedication to the Scotland national team following a disappointing 2-0 defeat in the second leg of the Euro 2025 play-offs against Finland.

The loss means Scotland will not qualify for the upcoming tournament, which takes place in Switzerland between July 2 and 27.

After a tense 0-0 draw at Easter Road last Friday night, hopes still remained high for a successful outcome in this all or nothing encounter.

However, Finnish defender Natalia Kuikka struck early, scoring with a spectacular long-range effort beyond Scotland goalkeeper Eartha Cumings just eight minutes into the match at Bolt Arena.

Nea Lehtola doubled Finland's advantage in the 28th minute, sealing a 2-0 aggregate victory for the hosts.

(Image: BBC Alba) Speaking after the game in Helsinki, Martinez Losa said: "Well, there are regrets because we wanted to qualify. The biggest regrets is obviously about the outcome. We needed to win two games or get more goals than Finland and we didn't do it.

"I think in terms of what we prepared, the team was totally prepared, the players felt confident. I need to analyse the game back and maybe analyse myself and I could do something else. But I think for now I will plan and prepare the team in the same way, and I think the players arrived with confidence for the first match and the second match." 


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Martinez Losa signed a new contract in September last year, which runs until 2027. The decision by the Scottish FA to hand him the deal drew a lot of criticism given he had overseen a huge drop off since Scotland's last appearance at a major tournament, the 2019 World Cup under Shelley Kerr.

Scotland lost 6-0 to England shortly after and were relegated from their UEFA Nations League group. 

Add into the mix this latest qualification failure, then the trajectory doesn't appear positive for the 48-year-old. 

Asked what the future holds, the Spaniard, who previously managed Arsenal and Bordeaux before taking the Hampden Park role in July 2021, replied: "For me, personally nothing. It's not for me to say if I am the right man or not. 

"I am committed to this group, I am committed to the development of the players, which I can see. I have a commitment to the staff also who are working very hard to bring the team to this level. It's maybe not what we wanted... but to this level. 

"I am sure there are national teams today in the same situation and I'm committed to making the team evolve more."


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Scotland captain Caroline Weir knows it's another huge missed opportunity spurred.

The 29-year-old Real Madrid forward told BBC Alba: “I think we did everything. This game came down to a couple of moments that weren't in our favour. I'm really proud of the team, they couldn't have done much more.

(Image: BBC Alba) "We played well, especially the first half, but unfortunately we haven't done enough. It's really tough to take. 

“It’s really hard to digest at the moment, it wasn’t our night tonight. We wanted this really badly. Unfortunately it wasn't to be our night tonight. 

"The team has worked so hard in the last couple of years to be in this position and unfortunately we couldn’t take that final step tonight."

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