In a game that truly showcased the saying "a game of two halves," Scotland began their UEFA Women's Nations League encounter with Germany in impressive fashion, holding a 1-0 lead at the break.
However, the second half was a completely different story as Germany produced a devastating performance, scoring six unanswered goals within a 25-minute period to run out 6-1 victors and leave Scotland shattered by the final whistle.
Scotland's display during the opening 45 minutes was full of resilience and determination.
The Scots started with a compact and disciplined shape, frustrating the highly-ranked Germans, who struggled to break down a well-organised defence.
Their hard work paid off when Caroline Weir followed up after Kirsty Hanson's original effort was parried by the Germany goalkeeper to give the visitors a shock lead.
Read more:
The second half would see the match turn on its head within the opening moments. Germany emerged from the dressing room with newfound intensity, and it wasn’t long before they found an equaliser.
Just five minutes after the restart, substitute Giovanna Hoffmann had an immediate impact, hitting the post with a powerful shot, but the rebound was eventually cleared for a corner. From the resulting delivery, Seline Cerci rose highest to head home and make it 1-1, silencing Scotland’s earlier optimism.
The leveller sparked a complete transformation in the game. Germany, ranked third in the world, piled on the pressure, with Scotland unable to stem the tide.
Within minutes, the hosts had turned the match around entirely. In the 56th minute, Cerci netted her second of the night after instinctively reacting to the ball cannoning off the crossbar. The German forward made no mistake, powerfully slotting the ball past Lee Gibson to give Germany a 2-1 lead.
The floodgates had now opened, and Scotland’s defence began to unravel. Hoffmann made it 3-1 just moments later, rolling the ball beyond Gibson after a quick break left the Scots exposed.
The pressure kept mounting, and from the restart, Germany and Hoffmann scored again, who made it 4-1 with another cool finish to put the game beyond Scotland's reach.
The Scots appeared to be mentally rattled, and Germany capitalised on the growing uncertainty.
In the 67th minute, Laura Freigang added a fifth with an exquisite back-heel finish that left Gibson with no chance.
Just when it seemed things couldn't get worse, Cerci delivered a jaw-dropping moment in the 76th minute. Scotland lost possession in midfield, which led to a lightning quick Germany counter-attack. Once Cerci was laid off by her teammate, Freigang, she unleashed an absolute screamer from the edge of the box, which flew into the top corner.
Gibson was helpless as the ball flew past her, making it 6-1 and completing Germany's rampant performance.
Despite the heavy defeat, Scotland continued to try and play passing football, but their attempts to build from the back were continually thwarted by Germany’s pressing game.
Claire Emslie provided one of the few moments of hope for the visitors late on, creating a rare opportunity for Scotland with a powerful run and cross into the box, but it amounted to nothing as Germany held firm at the back.
Read more:
-
VAR official departs after huge Celtic and Rangers errors sparked crisis talks
-
Transport Scotland & Dundee FC at odds over access plans for new 12,500-seat stadium
For Scotland, the game was a painful reminder of the difference between top-tier teams and those still battling for consistency at the international level.
They will be left to reflect on a first half full of promise and a second half that was a nightmare from which they never recovered. Questions will certainly be asked of the team’s mentality, as they allowed Germany to run riot and concede five goals in a devastating 25-minute collapse.
Interim manager Michael McArdle will need to address the mental resilience of his side ahead of future matches, as the result sees Scotland remain at the bottom of their Nations League group
