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Watch Austria's winning goal against Scotland

Melissa Andreatta's first game as Scotland head coach ended in defeat by a dominant Austria side, who also consigned the hosts to Nations League A relegation.

Julia Hickelsberger's front-post flick from a corner in the second half made it seven matches without a win for the Scots, who again lacked intensity and cohesion.

Andreatta, who signed a four-year contract with the Scottish FA in April, has only had four training sessions in her first national team boss position and was tasked with picking up a squad who suffered a 6-1 hammering in their last run out in Germany.

There were early signs of her attacking-minded style, but the hosts, who lost to the Austrians on matchday one at the Josko Arena, soon shrunk into their shell.

Alexander Schriebl's superior visitors peppered Lee Gibson's goal and the Glasgow City goalkeeper was forced to pull out a string of strong saves.

Goalscorer Hickelsberger had been denied in the first half by the crossbar and was thwarted by the home shotstopper for her second.

The Scots - who will play in League B next campaign - threatened very little, until the substitutes brought about some urgency.

Kirsty Howat scuffed an effort from inside the six-yard box before forcing Champions League winner Manuela Zinsberger into a fingertip save on the crossbar, while Rangers team-mate Mia McAulay threated too.

However, the damage was done and Andreatta's side will close out the group away to the Netherlands - who suffered a 4-0 defeat by Group A1 leaders Germany - on Tuesday - live on BBC Scotland.

Substitutes, belatedly, spark Scots into life

Since the appointment last month, the Andreatta era has brought about enthusiasm, freshness and hope.

After only a matter of days, it is unfair to expect such attributes would be showcased in abundance, but the feeling at half-time was all too familiar.

The Scots were so far off the pace it was startling. With sarcasm in the stands mounting, questions were being asked… Is Pedro Martinez Losa still here at Hampden?

There was no urgency, no impetus and no imagination. Lauren Davidson and Freya Gregory struggled to have an impact out wide, while Hibernian striker Kathleen McGovern was only able to put in a power of running and take in the occasional long ball.

It was the latter pair's first international starts, while Brann's Davidson was never in-favour of Martinez Losa, but their inexperience was telling against a well-gelled Austrian outfit.

There was a marked, and much-needed, improvement when Andreatta called on the calvary. The aforementioned Howat, debutant McAulay, Martha Thomas and Emma Watson all brought about the buzz that was hoped for on the opening whistle.

Meanwhile, Rachel Corsie, on the centre-half's final Hampden appearance before retiring, showed why she bows out as one of the best.

There was a new-found calmness in the backline when the captain came on at half-time, while her leadership was telling.

That is what Scotland will miss most in this new area. Corsie has an ability like no other in the squad to lift, galvanise and encourage this young group.

In the past few days, she has spoken of her desire to retire at the top. If that is to be her last Scotland outing, on her 155th appearance, she has done just that.

All too easy for Austria

When Group A1 was announced, there was a bit of belief the Scots could pick up points aginst the Austrians.

They defeated them at Hampden in a World Cup play-off semi-final in 2022 and, at the time, had a not-so-bad 2024 under their belt.

However, the Austrians have improved, markedly, since that showdown.

They used the wide areas well and caused severe havoc in the first half. Scotland full-backs Emma Lawton and Amy Muir were left scrambling too often for the home crowd's liking.

This is a group who have grown together and improved together. They were rarely flustered on their travels.

Scotland could do worse than looking into their playbook.

What they said

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'I've got a baseline now' - Andreatta on Scotland's loss to Austria

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "There's one thing to be training and doing what we're doing, players executing what we're asking of them in a training session and it's another thing to do it in a match, particularly one with that context behind it.

"I think I have a good baseline now to understand where we're at and some areas to work on to get where we want to be.

"I really believe in this group and what it's going to take now is a lot of work to continue to find the areas I can help this team to realise their potential and go to another level."