Martha Thomas scored 4 objectives as Scotland defeated Israel 5-0 in Budapest to stay unbeaten high of Girls’s Euro 2025 qualifying Group B2 – a consequence which ensures them a play-off place.
It was the second time in fast succession the 2 sides had confronted one another after Pedro Martinez Losa’s facet gained 4-1 at Hampden on Friday night time.
And Tuesday’s rematch on impartial territory in Hungary proved equally comfy for the Scots, who’ve now taken 10 factors from a attainable 12 of their quest to qualify for the finals in Switzerland subsequent 12 months.
Scotland at the moment are 10 factors forward of bottom-placed Israel with solely two video games remaining within the group and the highest three all qualify for the play-offs.
The guests began on the entrance foot and threatened within the eighth minute when Claire Emslie’s low ball throughout aim was deflected onto the put up.
The opener got here six minutes later when Thomas drove dwelling a low shot from 12 yards out after being launched by a by way of ball from Emslie.
The Scots doubled their lead within the thirty seventh when Thomas headed dwelling Lisa Evans’ cross from the proper.
The guests modified their goalkeeper for the beginning of the second half, with Eartha Cummings changing Lee Gibson between the sticks.
Nonetheless, nearly all of the motion continued to be performed out on the different finish of the pitch, and Thomas sealed her first worldwide hat-trick within the 74th minute when she guided dwelling one other Evans cross together with her knee from the sting of the six-yard field.
The Tottenham striker was heading in the right direction for a fourth time simply three minutes later when she glanced dwelling Nicola Docherty’s cross from the left.
Chelsea Cornet sealed a convincing victory for Scotland with 4 minutes remaining when she lashed within the rebound after Jane Ross noticed a header cleared off the road.
Wales denied by late Ukraine equaliser
Nicole Kozlova’s last-gasp equaliser denied Wales three factors of their Girls’s Euro 2025 qualifier in opposition to Ukraine in Poland.
Kozlova struck seven minutes into stoppage-time to earn her facet a 2-2 draw that value Wales high spot in Group B4 with two video games left to play.
4 days after they have been held to a 1-1 draw by the identical group in Llanelli, Wales struggled to achieve the initiative and went in at half-time a aim behind.
Yana Kalinina completed off a swift counter-attacking transfer to present her facet a deserved Thirty third-minute lead in a half during which the guests did not create any clear-cut probabilities.
Wales improved after the break and drew degree on 73 minutes when Kayleigh Barton rammed dwelling a penalty after being fouled within the field by Anna Petryk.
Two minutes later, Jess Fishlock put her facet in entrance with a shocking 25-yard effort that pulled her inside one aim of equalling Helen Ward’s all-time file of 44 for her nation.
However Wales have been fortunate to flee when Gemma Evans struck her personal put up earlier than Kozlova’s effort earned Ukraine a degree their efficiency deserved.
Croatia’s win over Kosovo noticed Wales sink to second place within the group however two wins of their closing two video games will nonetheless be sufficient to make sure Rhian Wilkinson’s facet end high.
Portugal come from behind to beat Northern Eire in Lurgan
Lauren Wade’s early aim was not sufficient for Northern Eire as Portugal got here from behind to win their newest Euro 2025 qualifier 2-1 in Lurgan.
Wade struck after simply 5 minutes on Tuesday because the hosts appeared to avenge final Friday’s loss to the Group B3 table-toppers at Mourneview Park.
Portugal rapidly levelled with a wonderful header from Kika Nazareth after which took what proved a decisive lead as Andreia Norton pounced on a defensive mix-up on the half-hour.
The victory put Portugal in a commanding place on the high of the group with 4 wins from 4 video games, with Northern Eire eight factors adrift in third place behind Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sweden beat Republic with late aim
Magdalena Eriksson struck six minutes from time to earn Sweden a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Eire who nonetheless stay and not using a level in Euro 2025 Qualifying.
Sweden had probabilities to make their breakthrough within the first half courtesy of Fridolina Rolfo however earned their second win in 4 days over Eire as Eriksson broke Irish hearts in Stockholm.
The Republic have failed to attain in group A3 to date and relegation again to League B is looming for Eileen Gleeson’s facet.
What’s the Euro 2025 qualifying schedule?
Qualifying matchdays one and two: April 3 to 9 2024
Qualifying matchdays three and 4: Might 29 to June 4 2024
Qualifying matchdays 5 and 6: July 10 to 16 2024
Play-off draw: July 19 2024
Play-off spherical one (two legs): October 23 to 29 2024
Play-off spherical two (two legs): November 27 to December 3 2024
Euro 2025 finals draw: December 16 2024
Euro 2025 finals: July 2 to 27 2025 (Switzerland)
