Netherlands 1 – 1 Scotland
By Gethin Thurlow (03/06/2025)
Above: Scotland huddle post-match. Photo: ScotlandNT on X.
Scotland legend Rachel Corsie bowed out of international football as an unused substitute and Melissa Andreatta gave fans a glimpse of what is to come in an end-to-end clash against the Dutch.
After a dominant start from the Netherlands, a Lee Gibson save fell to Danielle van der Donk who calmy picked out Jill Roord in the area to put the Dutch ahead. They continued to push for another goal and some last ditch defending was required from centre back Jenna Clark to keep Romee Leuchter from adding to the scoreline, who was a constant thorn in the Scottish side during the first half.
Having fought through this spell of Dutch pressure, an injury to striker Kathleen McGovern allowed Andreatta to pull out the tactics board and give a full-on team talk in view of the TV cameras.
Whatever she said was clearly effective; as almost straight afterward right back Emma Lawton broke away from a Netherlands corner and launched a cross from at least 30 yards out, McGovern somehow latched on the end of it, guiding it into the corner for a Scottish leveller.
This seemed to give Scotland some renewed confidence and they started to have more control from then on, with Dutch chances coming fewer and farther between. It was so encouraging after what had been a total collapse against Germany from 1-0 up at half time to 6-1 at full time to see Scotland be able to sustain that competitive level.
The half time introduction of Rachel McLauchlan was inspired, and the Scots only got better as the second half went on, implementing the high pressing that Andreatta had discussed in her first ever press conference for the job. Kirsty Maclean and Erin Cuthbert were aggressive in midfield and found themselves in good areas many times, starting to show a bit of a ‘spine’ that the Australian manager could build around.
Arguably, given the last 30 minutes it would be Scotland that are most disappointed to only come away with a draw, as they had a number of touches clean through in the Dutch box, but the stiff reflexes of van Domselaar and some indecisiveness from Scotland kept the score 1-1.
The grit, fight, strength and leadership shown by all 16 Scots out there today was a fitting tribute to the icon that is Rachel Corsie. Consistently throughout her international career, this is what Corsie displayed and finding someone worthy to replace her and lead this team into a new era will not be an easy task.
This point may not have been crucial to the Nations League table. But it represents far more than that. It was the performance that will be remembered not the score. It was the day Melissa Andreatta showed she was for real; and that Scotland could compete with anyone again.
TEAMS: NETHERLANDS (4-3-3): van Domselaar (GK), Casparij, Dijkstra, Spitse (Captain), Brugts, Kaptein, Groenen, Roord, van de Donk, Roord, Leuchter. Substitutes: Kop (GK), Baijings, Egurrola (85’), Grant (69’), R Jansen, D Janssen (68’), Snoeijs (85’), Wilms (74’), De Jong, van Dongen, S van der Sanden, I van der Sanden.
Scorer: Roord (10’)
SCOTLAND (4-2-3-1): Gibson (GK), Lawton, Howard, J Clark, Muir, Maclean, Cuthbert, McAulay, Weir (Captein), Gregory, McGovern Substitutes: Cumings (GK) Maciver (GK), Cornet, Corsie, Davidson, Hay, Howat (56’), Thomas (56’), McLauchlan (46’), Newsham, Smith (46’), Watson (94’)
Scorer: McGovern (27’)
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti
Attendance: 8,180 (ITA).
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 