CAROLINE Weir’s first-half strike was not enough to send Scotland into the knockout stages of Euro 2017 despite the fact her smash-and-grab goal settled a 1-0 victory over Spain in Deventer.
Anna Signeul, who will now step down as Scotland manager, needed both her team to beat Spain by at least two goals and Group D toppers England to defeat Portugal in Tilburg, which they did 2-1.
Liverpool midfielder Weir’s goal against the run of play settled a one-sided game in Scotland’s favour while Signeul’s ladies were lucky to retain goalkeeper Gemma Fay on the pitch following an ill-judged foul.
Spain started brightly with Fay, on the occasion of her 203rd cap, forced to tap a dangerous Marta Torrejon free-kick against a post and out.
Las Sonadoras grew in confidence and by the half-hour mark were really turning the screw, with Irene Paredes, Jenni Hermoso and Vicky Losada all going close before Fay endured a real sticky moment.
Flying out of her box to deny the onrushing Alexia Putella, she used her gloves to clear the ball. The Perth-born stopper somehow avoided a red card, seeing only yellow for the foul.
Scotland took the lead totally against the rhythm of proceedings as half-time approached, Spanish keeper Sandra Panos making a hash of a clearance and allowing Weir to clip home the clincher.
It was all Spain after the break and Scotland were up against it in their mission to not only cling on to the lead but to score the goal that would send them into the last eight.
With extra bodies up front, Spain nearly found the equaliser through Maria Paz, who dragged Amanda Sampedro’s assist just wide.
Hearts were in mouths late on when four Spanish forwards raided the Scottish box, with Ifeoma Dieke providing a crucial block to stop the ball falling to one of at least three red-shirted strikers.
England, meanwhile, made it three wins from three as Toni Duggan and Nikita Parris struck early in each half as to set up a blockbuster quarter-final against France.
On Sunday, England will be looking to end a winless run against France that dates back to 1974.
This 2-1 victory over Portugal in Tilburg ensured the good work in the matches against Scotland and Spain did not go to waste as England sealed top spot in Group D.
And although it was far from a persuasive England performance, the fringe players brought in brought home the three points.
Duggan chipped in to punish a goalkeeping blunder, and Parris fired home in the 48th minute to restore England’s lead after Portugal had become the first team to score against the Lionesses at this tournament.
It made manager Mark Sampson’s team the first senior England side, male or female, to take maximum points in the group stage of a European Championship finals.
But the watching France coach Olivier Echouafni would have learned little ahead of Sunday’s big match.
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