Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

Image source, Getty Images

Lisa Evans says Scotland are "a different team" to the one who suffered play-off heartache two years ago as they edged closer to Euro 2025.

The right winger, who was outstanding in the 4-0 win over Hungary at Easter Road on Tuesday night, is keen to look forward to next month's crunch tie against Finland rather than dwell on the defeats to the Republic of Ireland and the Finns which have proved costly in the past.

"We know the pain that we've suffered, I don't want to talk about it too much because we are a different team," Evans told BBC Scotland.

"It was a really great performance. Great goals, great to have players back and we're just looking forward to the next game now."

Evans played slightly further forward - a familiar place - than her starting position in Budapest on Friday, and it was a masterstroke from Pedro Martinez Losa.

Her runs, crosses and press were pivotal and had Hungary scrambling.

She linked up well with right-back Kirsty Smith time and again, as well as Scotland's superstar midfield.

"We have some of the best players in the world [in our midfield]," she added. "We just try and get them on the ball as much as possible.

"We now have two cup finals, two massive games to get us to the Euros."

Injured Scotland captain Rachel Corsie and former midfielder Leanne Crichton react to Erin Cuthbert's goal in the 4-0 win over Hungary on Tuesday night on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

• Listen and subscribe to full episodes of Behind the Goals here.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

Image source, SNS

"Excellent" Scotland have rediscovered their "winning mentality" after a difficult 2023, says left-back Nicola Docherty.

The Scots suffered four defeats in six League A matches of their Nations League campaign last year, but have bounced back with an unbeaten qualifying campaign so far in pursuit of next summer's Euro finals.

Now Pedro Martinez Losa's side are just two games - a play-off with Finland - away from reaching a major tournament for the first time since 2019.

"We're finding the way to win with that winning mentality," Docherty told BBC Scotland after the 4-0 win over Hungary at Easter Road completed a 5-0 aggregate victory.

The Rangers defender added: "We've really started to believe in ourselves more after the disappointments of the last campaign.

"We've kicked on and want to make sure those moments don't happen again. There's a lot of belief in the dressing room now."

Scotland's confidence and belief was evident as they blitzed Hungary in impressive fashion.

"We controlled the game, we limited them to very little chances and controlled possession," the Rangers captain added.

"We played some exciting football and that's what we want to bring to the fans. It was certainly a better performance than last week.

"Credit to the girls, I thought everyone was excellent tonight."

As Scotland edge one step closer to Euro 2025, we want your thoughts on Tuesday night's 4-0 victory over Hungary.

What did you make of the game? How are you feeling about the double header against Finland?

Have your say here, external.

Image source, SNS

Caroline Weir says Scotland are "determined" to put in a good display against Finland next month.

With their 4-0 (5-0 on aggregate) win over Hungary, the Scots booked a place in the play-off final for Euro 2025, against a Finnish side who beat Montenegro with an aggregate score of 6-0.

The two-legged play-off will take place at Easter Road on 27 November with the away leg in Finland due to be played on 3 December.

"I'm really proud of the team," Weir said after the Victory at Easter Road.

"The players gave it everything.

"I've watched the team over the last 12 months and it's been amazing to see the progress they've made

"Tonight the atmosphere was amazing, and I'm really proud of this performance.

"Two cup finals now, isn't it. That's what we've been working for, we've been through the playoff process before and know how tough it can be.

"That disappointment [from previous playoffs], it makes us resilient.

"We're determined and ready to go and compete against Finland.

"The team responds so well to an atmosphere like this, we love it, and we get a buzz off of it".

Image source, SNS

Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa: "The difficult moments that make you panic sometimes when you are playing in a play-off, we're learning to solve them.

"We have probably seen the best version of a lot of players and that's what we want to repeat.

"We learned from the first game, Hungary deserve a lot of credit on how they prepared and we discussed how to break them down.

"The first 10 minutes it wasn't there but after that we found the rhythm and that gave us confidence in the game.

"I know how much the players feel the extra yard when the fans are here.

"You want to feel the pride of the nation. I think we connected well with them today and hopefully we can do it again.

"We [Scotland and Finland] are two teams at similar levels, we have played against them before and we had the feeling that we could beat them.

"This is a totally different scenario this time though."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

Image source, SNS

Pedro Martinez Losa has disregarded any notion that his bold comment, "no way will Scotland lose at home," on Tuesday will give Hungary additional motivation ahead of the second leg of their Euro 2025 Round One play-off.

After the 1-0 win in Budapest, the head coach stressed he was speaking "in the moment" when he made the outlandish statement.

He played down the impact of his words as he spoke with the media at Easter Road, Tuesday's venue, on Monday afternoon.

"I think both teams are more focused on the inside processes," he said. "I think Hungary were very well prepared for the first leg and they will be prepared again.

"And we will be prepared, so I think that the details of the game, apart from what we can perceive from outside, is more about what we are going to do well on the pitch or not.

"So I will respect the opponent to the maximum level, and the best way to respect the opponent is to prepare to the maximum details also, to prepare the team in the best way possible.

"We got a result the other day through the way that the game was, and I think that is an aspect that the team is doing now consistently.

"On the other side, we are excited about having very talented players coming back to the squad and that gives us that confidence that we can offer a good game to our fans.

"It was more the excitement after the game to come back home with building the atmosphere with everyone and be able to face this challenge together.

"I think that what you speak at the end of the game is about how you feel."

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."