Scotland women 1-0 Brazil women: Kim Little scores winning goal in Spain
- Published
Little strikes as Scotland Women beat Brazil
Scotland enjoyed a morale-boosting win over Brazil in their penultimate warm-up friendly before this summer's Women's World Cup.
Kim Little capped an impressive display with the only goal, stroking home a fizzing cross from Lizzie Arnot.
Brazil, ranked 10th in the world - 10 places above the Scots - twice hit the post in the first half and had a goal harshly disallowed.
But Scotland also created good chances and defended stoutly after the break.
It is only the second time any Scottish team has beaten Brazil at any level, following a success for the men's under-20s at the 2017 Toulon Tournament.
Shelley Kerr's side are now unbeaten in their past four outings and take on Jamaica at Hampden on 28 May before setting off for the finals in France.
Scotland make their World Cup debut against England on 9 June, with Japan and Argentina making up Group D.
A header from Sophie Howard clipped the crossbar and Jennifer Beattie nodded just wide as Scotland started in positive fashion at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia.
However, Brazil were also a threat, with a Thaisa shot whizzing past the post before the South Americans twice struck the frame of the goal.
Monica Alves hit the base of the post from point-blank range after Lee Alexander had made a sprawling save and, soon after, Leticia Santos burst clear to lift a shot over the goalkeeper, only to see it find the outside of the upright.
With seven minutes of a lively first half remaining, Little brought the ball forward in midfield and released Arnot down the right. The Manchester United forward sped to the edge of the box before powering in a low cross for Little to slot in from six yards.
There was a let-off for the Scots after the interval when an incorrect offside call denied the South Americans a close-range leveller from a free-kick.
Brazil, who have now lost nine games on the trot, did most of the pressing thereafter but could not find a way past a resolute Scottish defence, content to sit deep and absorb pressure.
A late counter-attack found Caroline Weir bursting into the penalty area with the chance to double Scotland's lead but her first touch from Arnot's excellent delivery let her down.
On that occasion, goalkeeper Aline Villares Reis was able to smother the danger but Scotland were soon celebrating a famous victory.
Goalscorer Kim Little was a composed presence in central midfield for Scotland
'Well organised and creating chances' - analysis
Former Scotland international Pauline MacDonald on BBC Alba
The real positive is the number of chances we are creating against good teams. We're good defensively, we're well organised. The combination play tonight was definitely much improved.
Patient approach pays off - reaction
Scotland midfielder Kim Little: "It's a great way to end this camp in Spain. We were calm and composed [for the goal]. Lizzie picked me out perfectly and I just needed to get my right foot on it.
"That's maybe something we didn't do in the first game (Friday's 1-1 draw with Chile). We were more patient and calm on the ball.
"We have a group that's been together for a long time and we have the fitness and tactical ability to compete. It was a good, solid performance to take us into our last game before the World Cup."