LAUREN JAMES bagged a deadly double as England hammered Scotland 6-0.
But it was not enough to seal the result they needed to top their Women’s Nations League group and keep hopes of Great Britain battling for Paris Olympics football medals alive.
Just as the team thought it was mission accomplished as the Lionesses roared to a hefty win, Damaris Egurrola netted the goal that saw them leap back to pole position in group A1 and claim their place in the Women’s Nations League semis.
It was see-saw night for the visitors. And one that ended with their Olympic hopes crushed.
Coming into the game England no longer had their bid to top their group and reach the contest semis in their hands, despite beating Holland 3-2 last Friday.
At a bitterly cold Hampden Park, Sarina Wiegman’s side had two objectives.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
The first was to win their game and the second – to wipe out Holland’s three-goal advantage in the goal difference standings in group A1.
The match was a make or break moment in terms of whether they could move closer to clinching an Olympics spot for a Great Britain women’s football team.
That or seeing hopes of a British women’s football side battling for medals at the Paris games go up in smoke.
And in the dying seconds their hopes were dashed.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
The Lionesses and Scotland found themselves in the bizarre predicament of facing each other in a fixture that England needed to win in order to ensure players from both nations (as well Wales) are in with a chance of potentially playing at the Games next summer.
Wiegman wanted her side to go wild in attack but not erratic.
They heeded her call taking a 12th-minute lead with Mead’s perfectly delivered corner-kick headed home by Alex Greenwood.
Moments later boos rang out from home fans with Lisa Evans looking to ref for a penalty after colliding with Lucy Bronze in the box but having no joy.
Lauren Hemp hit the woodwork at the half hour mark before Claire Emslie flashed the ball across goal in reply
And with Holland taking a lead against Belgium at that point the Lionesses now needed three more goals to top their group.
James answered their prayers with a 38th minute finish from the edge of the box before curling in a stylish for her second.
And Mead made it 4-0 close to half time following James’ cross into the box.
The second half saw Fran Kirby get in on the act pouncing on a drag back from Georgia Stanway.
Read More on The Sun
While Holland went 3-0 up through danger woman Lineth Beerensteyn and Egurrola, England came perilously close to conceding with Martha Thomas striking the post. An injury time Lucy Bronze header initially looked to have put the result beyond doubt
But then up stepped Egurrola whose finish in Holland saw Team GB’s football qualifying hopes dashed.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
