Finland 1-2 Scotland: Caroline Weir marks 100th cap with goal as visitors continue winning run
- Published
Highlights: Finland 1-2 Scotland
Scotland extended their winning run to four games with a hard-fought friendly win over Finland in Tampere.
Caroline Weir celebrated her 100th cap with the opener before 17-year-old Emma Watson struck for the third time in four Scotland games.
Elli Pikkujamsa pulled one back, but Finland could not find a leveller.
And Pedro Martinez Losa's side could have scored more as they extended their unbeaten run to six games ahead of the beginning of the Nations League.
That will be a step up when they take on England, Netherlands and Belgium in the inaugural Nations League, but it has been another promising friendly double-header for the Scots.
Although it was a friendly, there were ghosts to be exorcised against Finland. Martinez Losa had been brought in as Scotland head coach after the failure to qualify for Euro 2022, when Finland had been the architects of the Scots downfall when they posted home and away wins over his predecessor, Shelley Kerr.
The meeting in Tampere could not right any perceived wrongs from 2020, but it would at least continue the current upward trend of a Scotland side growing in confidence.
That hunger to extend their unbeaten run was evident early and, on 13 minutes, they took the lead.
Real Madrid midfielder Weir glided into the box and sent Watson's pass into the far corner to celebrate reaching a century of caps in style.
Just six minutes later, a real touch of class extended the lead.
Kirsty Hanson drove at the defence down the left, knocked the ball low to Watson and the Rangers midfielder, who had been handed a lone striker role, turned and curled a fabulous finish past the gloves of goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
Scotland looked like they could dismantle their hosts at will.
However, one momentary lapse allowed Pikkujamsa space between two blue shirts and her long range drive crept between goalkeeper Lee Gibson and the near post.
Scotland, though, kept up the pressure. Erin Cuthbert and the impressive Hanson both forced saves from the goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, either side of the break, Weir curled two fierce left-foot drives around the far post.
A wicked ball across goal just evaded Hanson, who deserved a goal for a battling performance down the left.
Finland pushed for a leveller but were thwarted by fine displays from Sophie Howard and converted centre-back Nicola Docherty.
Goalkeeper Lee Gibson was also called into action when she had to push over Emma Koivisto's lob - then a Howard clearance cracked off her own crossbar.
However, despite the nervy finish, Scotland held on for the win.
What they said
Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "I really enjoy watching this team. Today was a fantastic performance - I enjoyed all the phases of the game. We were fantastic on the ball, fantastic on the overlap, but we also suffered in some moments where we had to defend.
"We were excellent defending set-pieces and handling the crowd and the pressure. We also suffered when the fitness levels were not helping us. That's a very good Finland team, a team who were seven games unbeaten playing at home, but we worked on their weaknesses. The players believe it, they stuck to the game plan and that's what we want from this team."
What's next?
Scotland begin their Nations League campaign in September with a double header away to England and at home to Belgium.