Scotland 0-6 England: Player ratings as Lionesses miss out on Nations League finals despite emphatic win
FROM HAMPDEN PARK — Despite putting six past Scotland in a dominant display, a late Netherlands strike bettered England's goal difference, denying them a place in the Nations League final and bringing their Paris 2024 dreams to an end.
It was a sensational display by England, led by the magnificent Lauren James, who earned a brace and an assist. But as the Netherlands secured a 4-0 win over Belgium, bettering England's goal difference, the Dutch topped the group and booked their place in the Nations League finals.
Alex Greenwood opened the scoring, heading Beth Mead's corner home before Mead — scoring her first goal in over a year — netted the fourth before the break. Fran Kirby and Lucy Bronze added the gloss in the second half to finish a ruthless evening in Scotland.
The Netherlands now join France, Spain and Germany in the Nations League finals to fight for the two remaining Paris 2024 spots — hosts France have already qualified.
After an aggressive start from both sides, Greenwood broke the deadlock 12 minutes in, heading Mead's pinpoint corner past Scotland's goalkeeper Lee Gibson amid some poor defending from the hosts.
Moments later Scotland believed they had earned a penalty with Lisa Evans taking a tumble in the box but, with no contact from a trailing Lucy Bronze, referee Alina Pesu was not interested.
Playing aggressively on the break, the hosts were creating chances to equalise but were lacking the end product to find the back of the net as Claire Emslie's solo effort rolled just wide.
England were pulling the strings by the 38th minute and James, England's golden girl, netted twice in as many minutes. First, she capitalised on Rachel McLauchlan's poor clearance and took aim from 20 yards out, her stellar strike
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