The interim Scotland manager, Michael McArdle, began his tenure with a disappointing 1-0 Nations League defeat away to Austria, with Lilli Purtscheller’s strike on 14 minutes deciding the Group A1 clash.
McArdle’s new-look squad engineered a chance in the eighth minute but Kirsty Hanson was thwarted by the Arsenal and Austria keeper Manuela Zinsberger, who also saved a long-range Martha Thomas shot.
Austria, who also had a new head coach in Alexander Schriebl, took advantage of slack defending for the only goal, with Purtscheller being allowed to turn and lash the ball high past the goalkeeper Lee Gibson from 12 yards.
Zinsberger made a fantastic instinctive save from Hanson’s close-range strike from a corner on the half-hour mark, but thereafter the home goal was rarely threatened at the Josko Arena in Ried im Innkreis. The other two sides in Group A1, heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands, played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Breda.
Wales also lost their Nations League opener 1-0, as Hayley Ladd’s 100th appearance for her country ended in defeat by Italy in Monza. The Everton midfielder become only the 10th player, male or female, to bring up a century of caps for Wales.
Barbara Bonansea broke the deadlock in the fifth minute after a succession of Italy corners and it proved enough to settle an even contest in Group A4. Rhian Wilkinson’s side did respond admirably, with Angharad James hitting the woodwork. In the same group, Sweden defeated Denmark 2-1.
Northern Ireland slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Poland in Group B1, while Kyra Carusa’s goal gave the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 home win over Turkey in Group B2.
In England’s group, A3, World Cup winners and defending Nations League champions Spain produced an incredible late comeback to beat Belgium 3-2 in València. Goals from Mariam Toloba and Tessa Wullaert had put the visitors 2-0 up before Clàudia Pina pulled one back with a curling strike from the edge of the area on 77 minutes. Two goals in stoppage time, from Lucía García in the 92nd minute and from Cristina Martín-Prieto in the 96th, turned the game on its head.
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In Group A2, France edged Norway 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Marie-Antoinette Katoto, while Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland drew 0-0 with Iceland.
