Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa addressed the media before his side's Euro 2025 Round One play-off second leg tie against Hungary at Easter Road tomorrow.

Here are the key things he said:

• Martinez Losa dismissed any suggestion his post-match comments - "no way will Scotland lose at home" - would give Hungary any more motivation.

• He stressed when making such remarks to the BBC, he was, "referring more in the motivation in the group and the confidence that we have inside, while obviously respecting the opponent".

• The Spaniard believes this group "are ready" to compete in next summer's Euro 2025 finals.

• He said the team are "really happy" to be in Edinburgh and "connect with the fans here".

• Everyone is available for tomorrow night's game.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bozsik Arena, Budapest

Image source, Getty Images

"It was never going to be a walk in the park, but we're happy with the win."

Martha Thomas can say that again.

At times in Scotland's 1-0 win against Hungary in Budapest, their hosts piled on the pressure with their aggressive approach and were a danger to the defence.

But, Pedro Martinez Losa's side stood strong and have a "small advantage," but an advantage all the same, thanks to her second half close-range smash.

"It was a difficult game, Hungary were organised and put in a good block that was hard to break down so we had to be patient," Thomas told BBC Scotland. "It was all about taking that advantage into Tuesday.

"I think we were patient at times, but the times we forced it Hungary were looking to catch us on the break. You can't lose a game if you don't concede and that’s what we pride ourselves on. It was about finding the right moments and we did that in the second half."

Scotland have now kept a clean sheet in six of their seven qualifying games, while Thomas herself has six goals across the campaign.

"We defend from high up and as forwards, we try to put their defenders and goalkeeper under pressure and finishing chances is a part of it," the Tottenham Hotspur striker added. "Luckily, right place right time for me tonight.

"We talk so much about how many goals we've scored from crosses, it fell nicely to me and I made sure to put it away.

"It's half time, we know we're going in with an advantage. We know it's a small advantage, but it's still an advantage.

"It was never going to be a walk in the park but we're happy with the win."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bozsik Arena, Budapest

It's safe to say Emma Watson is buzzing to be back for Scotland.

After over a year out with an ACL injury, the 18-year-old came off the bench in Budapest during the 1-0 win against Hungary.

The Manchester United midfielder had just broke into the national team, and impressed, when she suffered the brutal injury last year, but she - along with idol Caroline Weir - have made their much anticipated return.

"I'm buzzing with getting back out there, playing with the girls back on the international stage. It's an emotional night and I'm just happy to be back," she told BBC Scotland.

"These are the moments that you look back and think all the long hard days and hard work has paid off. I'm really proud of myself and just so happy to be here.

"When I got injured I was looking ahead at what camp I could maybe get picked for and this was definitely on the cards.

"Abig thank you to Pedro for still having the belief in me, and that just shows you what kind of a manager he is. It's really special that he still feels that I'm a big part of this team.

"The girls are great, we always have good vibes in camp and there's a really special energy about us, a real togetherness and I think you could see that tonight.

"We're all playing for each other and it's a really special group to be part of."

"Proud" midfielder Emma Watson savours a "special night" after marking her Scotland comeback from a year out injured with victory over Hungary in the Euro 2025 round play-off first leg.

It's advantage Scotland after the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off against Hungary.

The second leg take place at Easter Road on Tuesday night where Scotland will need to extend their one goal lead if they want to edge one step closer to Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

Before that, we want to know what you made of Scotland's performance.

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Hungary

Image source, Scottish FA

There’s always so much excitement when Erin Cuthbert, Sam Kerr and Weir are all fit - and rightly so.

The three ply their trade at Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Madrid respectively - on paper, a world-class midfield.

However, in reality, this was a reminder that the three struggle to sing from the same hymn sheet.

It is a class but congested centre of the park. At times in the first half particularly, they looked restrained and unable to spark a free-flowing creative game.

In his three years in charge, it is a concoction the head coach has struggled to master.

There has been the odd sweet spot, but the consistency is missing and so it was again in Budapest.

Instead, it was a reshuffling of experienced heads that brought about the goal.

With Lisa Evans exploited at right-back in the first half particularly, she was much more of an attacking threat when tugging the touchline after being shifted that little bit further forward.

The worry for Martinez Losa will be that this is a healthier squad, on paper, than the one from which he was able to pick in the Nations League, yet instead of looking stronger, shaky moments remained despite the victory.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "I think both teams were very prepared.

"Hungary showed the best version of themselves - they were at home and had nothing to lose. They really prepared well for the game and I think we managed the situation, after the first 15 minutes, well.

"Although the score is tight, just 1-0, we didn't concede and we know there's no way we're going to lose the game at home in Scotland."

Scotland striker Martha Thomas: "It was a difficult game. Hungary were organised, they put in a good block that was hard to break down, so we had to be patient.

"It was all about taking that advantage into Tuesday. It was never going to be a walk in the park, but we're happy with the win."

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay says Pedro Martinez Losa's side "should be beating Hungary home and away".

The Scots face Hungary in Budapest on Friday (17:15 BST) in the first leg of their Euro 2025 round one play-off, with the return at Easter Road on Tuesday.

The winner of the tie will progress to a meeting with either Finland or Montenegro for a place in next summer's finals in Switzerland.

Scotland are currently 23rd in Fifa's world rankings, with the Hungarians 46th.

Fay, who earned 203 caps, told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "There's an expectation [to win] because of the quality of players that we have.

"And I think Scotland have failed to live up to their expectation in last couple of qualification campaigns.

"Martinez Losa was saying that reaching the Euros is a dream bigger than any dream. I don't think it's a dream.

"Dreams are things which couldn't be attainable, this is absolutely attainable. It should be attainable.

"And if you look at the standard and quality of player that we have, we should be beating Hungary home and away.

"We should be stepping out on that pitch with a level of confidence within ourselves that we should be able to beat Hungary away and we should comfortably be able to beat them at home."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

Image source, SNS

"She actually thinks she's getting a rest here and I think, 'Oh my God, I'm exhausted watching you!'"

Erin Cuthbert isn't the only one amazed by Scotland team-mate Emma Mukandi's approach to international football.

While there is excitement among players at linking up with the national team, few would say they see it as a time for downtime. It's high intensity, high standards and high pressure.

The norm for mother Mukandi.

Since giving birth to baby Innes nearly three years ago, Mukandi - fully supported by the Scotland national team - brings her little girl to camp, and this time in Budapest is no different.

Many were, rightly, buzzing at the return of the wonderful Caroline Weir, but reuniting with Innes has everyone beaming.

"Having a baby in the camp, it’s just total fun," Cuthbert said, previewing tonight's play-off semi-final first leg against Hungary.

"It keeps everything light-hearted. When you've got Innes there, no matter if you've had a good or a bad day, she's always there to pick you up.

"Mitch [Emma Mukandi] is a great mother, you see the work that she does behind the scenes. It's remarkable what she does, honestly."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

In the Budapest sun, Bozsik Arena is a belter.

A nifty wee ground which, despite its small size, doesn't feel crammed or caved in, instead open and inviting.

It welcomes a Scotland side tonight full of confidence and belief following the unbeaten Nations League B campaign which got them here.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side recorded five wins and one draw - in the opening group game - and conceded just one goal along the way while playing some pretty decent football.

More of that will need to come across the - hopefully - four games which stand between Scotland and next summer's Euro 2025 Championships.

It's a case of keeping up tradition for the Scots, who have a steady record against the Hungarians. They've enjoyed the lion's share of victories in recent times with three wins and one draw in the last decade.

There were plenty roars of excitement to be heard from the squad as they trained in the sunshine on Thursday, ready to get back to international action after three months without pulling on the dark blue shirt.

If the pre-match excitement and eagerness can be matched come the peep of the whistle, there may be a few boogieing at the Bozsik Arena with the big bronzed lion tonight.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

Image source, SNS

Pedro Martinez Losa is back to where it all began as Scotland head coach.

The Spaniard took charge of the national team for the first time just over three years ago here in Hungary.

It was a 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier, and how he and his side would love a similar result in Friday's Euro 2025 round one play-off first leg.

"It brings back good memories," Martinez Losa told BBC Scotland.

"It's been three years of a lot of work, good, very positive things and we're in a better position now to face the next challenge."

That next challenge is making it past Hungary over two legs to advance to round two, the final hurdle standing between Scotland and next summer's finals in Switzerland.

Scotland have a decent recent record against their opponents, with no member of this squad ever suffering defeat to them. Another trend they will be keen to keep up.

However, Martinez Losa is under no illusions of the task at hand, albeit Hungary are under new stewardship, with 32-year-old former midfielder Alexandra Szarvas having taken charge in March.

"With a new coach comes fresh ideas probably, but the last Nations League campaign was good for them," the Spaniard said.

"They lost against Belgium but now they are rebuilding all these ideas after competing well in qualifiers. I am sure they will be very prepared, a play-off is always a great to showcase."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa has been speaking to BBC Scotland before Friday's Euro 2025 round one play-off first leg against Hungary in Budapest.

Here are the key lines:

• He has "good memories" of his last game here - a 2-0 win that began his Scotland tenure in September 2021.

• Scotland are in "a better position" than where they were back then.

• Hungary, under new management, have "fresh ideas" and will be a competitive threat.

• Martinez Losa has a selection headache with a healthier squad and said it is "the most difficult part of the job".

• He refused to confirm if Caroline Weir will captain Scotland on Friday night, though says she is "an option" alongside fellow vice-captain Claire Emslie.

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie - who will miss the matches through injury - is "nervous" about the nation's upcoming Euro 2025 play-off against "difficult" Hungary.

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Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa says Caroline Weir's return to the squad after a lengthy lay-off is an "emotional" moment for her and her teammates.

Image source, SNS

Pedro Martinez Losa says leading Scotland to Euro 2025 would be "the highlight" of his career.

The first leg of Scotland's play-off against Hungary is on 25 October and although the manager has the likes of Emma Watson and Caroline Weir returning to his squad, he will be without captain Rachel Corsie.

If they emerge victorious over the two legs against Hungary, they will face either Montegro or Finland for a spot at next summer's Euros in Switzerland.

"Obviously there's four games that have to be played at the end and we don't know the outcome yet but I’m totally convinced these players can make it," Martinez Losa said.

"For me it will mean probably one of the highlights of my career in terms of football, in terms of transmitting all my knowledge, my experience to a group of players, but not just a group of players but to inspire a nation and I can't wait to play the Euros to be honest.

"Our conversations with the players were always, if we qualify, I think we can be a much better team. I think we can be a team that continues the development, we could express well on the pitch and we could compete at a good level but that's the ultimate objective."

Head coach Pedro Martinez Losa says midfielder Caroline Weir's return to the Scotland squad will be "emotional".