Highlights: Scotland 4-1 Israel

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Scotland moved top of their group after overcoming Israel in a Women's Euro 2025 qualifier that was played behind closed doors and delayed by a protester at Hampden Park.

The Scottish FA decided not to allow spectators in to the national stadium because of security concerns.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the stadium before the game over Israel's military operation in Gaza while an individual breached security and chained themself to a goalpost which delayed kick-off by 30 minutes.

When the game got under way, Scotland were dominant in one of their finest first-half performances under manager Pedro Martinez Losa, who has been linked with the vacancy at Lyon.

The Spaniard celebrated the first of Claire Emslie’s two goals with a fist pump before applauding Kirsty Hanson’s effort in an impressive opening 45 minutes from his side.

Emslie's second made the points safe before the break but it was a more subdued second half until Martha Thomas scored her 15th international goal with a well-taken penalty to secure back-to-back home wins for Scotland.

However, the home side were denied a clean sheet, with Talia Sommer superbly scoring a late consolation for the visitors.

Scotland have now taken seven points from their opening three games and move top of group two on goal difference, with Serbia second after beating Slovakia 2-1.

The players were in the tunnel and preparing to enter the pitch when the pre-match incident took place. After 20 minutes of waiting while the protester was removed and a quick second warm-up, the Scots started in style.

Hanson was influential down the left throughout the night, and clipped the crossbar early on in a sign of what was to come.

It was fellow winger Emslie, though, who got the crucial connection for the well-earned first goal following a fantastic pick-out by Thomas.

For all their dominant play, the Scots nearly fell foul of a shock equaliser as Sophie Howard’s slip allowed Sommer in for a one-on-one with Lee Gibson.

The goalkeeper stood strong to deny her though, and Howard made up for her error with a vital block seconds later.

Scotland took heed of the warning and countered in clinical fashion to score their second, Hanson having two efforts at it but her determination paid dividends.

She grabbed the assist in the goal of the night, too. In one of the neatest goals from Martinez Losa’s side in recent memory, Emslie finished a wonderful free-flowing move involving Lisa Evans and Thomas.

The quieter second half's highlight was the penalty, as Cornet’s cute work led to her being dragged to the deck and a spot-kick awarded.

While Emslie would have had the opportunity from the spot for a first international hat-trick, Tottenham’s Thomas tucked away a deserved goal after bouncing one off the woodwork earlier.

Scotland looked poised to walk away with a win and clean sheet, but while Gibson remarkably denied her former City team-mate Vital Kats, she could do nothing about keeping out Sommer's sensational finish.

Player of the match - Kirsty Hanson

SNS

Having Kirsty Hanson is a massive boost to all in Scotland blue. After missing the last camp to injury, she picked up exactly where she left off against Israel. Her work on the left wing is terrific and she links up incredibly well with Martha Thomas and Claire Emslie. The glue to Scotland's good play.

Forwards on song for Scotland - analysis

One of the biggest frustrations during Martinez Losa's reign has been the lack of potency up top.

Jane Ross, who celebrated her 150th cap tonight, returned earlier this year from a 17-month injury lay-off and in her absence no one quite stepped up to the plate to fill her jersey.

With just seven goals in the previous 10 games there had been growing grumbles at Scotland's lack of strikepower.

One way to put that to bed is to score four, and particularly three in the manner Scotland did at Hampden.

At the crux of their scintillating first-half show were the returning pair, Thomas and Hanson, both of whom got on the scoresheet.

There are many qualities they boast to a level few do in the squad - awareness, movement and strength are just a few.

All of those proved key in the path to scoring four for the first time in over a year.

In the absence of Caroline Weir, Scotland have lacked creativity at times, but the WSL duo have taken it upon themselves to step up for their country.

What the manager said

Martinez Losa proud of Scotland in 'challenging circumstances'

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "I want to praise the professionalism of the team.

"Not only the focus of the players but also the staff in challenging circumstances. Our main focus and inspiration is for Scotland to qualify for the Euros and we have to be at the top of the group, where we are now, we have to win games and that's what we remained focused on.

"The way we played in the first half was excellent. We created a lot of opportunities and I think that's something we want to repeat."

What's next?

Scotland meet Israel again on Tuesday (15:00 BST) in the neutral venue of Budapest, Hungary. There will again be no fans in attendance.

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