Scotland moved to the top of their group after defeating Israel in a Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier, played behind closed doors and delayed by a protester at Hampden Park.
The Scottish FA decided to hold the match without spectators due to security concerns. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the stadium before the game to demonstrate against Israel’s military operation in Gaza. Additionally, an individual breached security and chained themselves to a goalpost, causing a 30-minute delay in the kick-off.
Once the game began, Scotland delivered one of their finest first-half performances under manager Pedro Martinez Losa, who has been linked with the vacant Lyon position. The Spaniard celebrated Claire Emslie’s first goal with a fist pump and applauded Kirsty Hanson’s effort in an impressive opening 45 minutes.
Emslie’s second goal ensured the points before halftime, but the second half was more subdued until Martha Thomas scored her 15th international goal with a well-taken penalty, securing back-to-back home wins for Scotland. However, Talia Sommer scored a late consolation goal for Israel, denying the home side a clean sheet.
Scotland has now accumulated seven points from their opening three games and leads Group 2 on goal difference, with Serbia in second place after a 2-1 win over Slovakia.
The players were in the tunnel and preparing to enter the pitch when the pre-match incident occurred. After a 20-minute delay to remove the protester and a quick second warm-up, the Scots started in style.
Hanson was influential down the left throughout the night, clipping the crossbar early on in a sign of what was to come.
However, it was fellow winger Emslie who made the crucial connection for the well-earned first goal following a fantastic pick-out by Thomas.
Despite their dominant play, the Scots nearly conceded a shock equaliser when Sophie Howard’s slip allowed Sommer a one-on-one with Lee Gibson. The goalkeeper stood strong to deny her, and Howard redeemed herself with a vital block seconds later.
Scotland heeded the warning and countered in clinical fashion to score their second goal, with Hanson’s determination paying off after two efforts.
Hanson also provided the assist for the goal of the night. In one of the neatest goals from Martinez Losa’s side in recent memory, Emslie finished a wonderful free-flowing move involving Lisa Evans and Thomas.
The quieter second half’s highlight was the penalty, awarded after Cornet’s clever work led to her being brought down in the box. While Emslie could have taken the spot-kick to complete her first international hat-trick, Tottenham’s Thomas stepped up and tucked away a deserved goal after hitting the woodwork earlier.
Scotland seemed set for a win and a clean sheet, but while Gibson remarkably denied her former City teammate Vital Kats, she couldn’t keep out Sommer’s sensational finish.
Player of the match – Kirsty Hanson