Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Scotland Stay Top of Group After Draw With Belgium

Scotland maintained their unbeaten record to remain top of Group B4 in World Cup qualifying with a frantic goalless draw in Belgium.

In their second meeting in four days, the Scots started brightly without troubling Nicky Evrard in goal.

The same could not be said for Sandy MacIver. Slackness in possession paved the way for Hannah Earlings to go close from inside the six-yard box.

A deep free-kick was allowed all the way through to MacIver, who just got a fingertip to it, before Jasmien Mathys knocked an effort off the left upright.

In and among a chaotic first half, classy visiting captain Caroline Weir had a few near things but it was after the break the visitors’ big moments came.

Kathleen McGovern, who levelled for the Scots in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw, was free to smack in a shot in the centre of the box but blazed over and she skewed another golden opportunity wide with 10 minutes to go.

Melissa Andreatta’s side had the bit between their teeth and forced The Red Flames into some frenetic last-ditch defending in a crowded six-yard box.

The Belgians were largely second best as the match wore on but had threatened when Mariam Toloba’s header was well tipped over by MacIver.

The stalemate means Scotland top the table going in to the final double header with Israel, above the Belgians – who next play Luxembourg twice – on goal difference.

With eight points, both Scotland and Belgium are guaranteed play-off places while Israel, after a second successive win over Luxembourg, are allso through to the next stage.

The side that finishes top will be seeded in the play-offs and will be promoted to League A in the next edition of the Nations League. Luxembourg will be relegated to League C.