Women's Euro 2022 qualifying - Reaction as Scotland defeated in Portugal

1. Portugal net opener through Borges against run of play
2. Scotland third in Group E, a point off Portugal

Tuesday D-Day for Scots

It's back to the men's game tomorrow, when we'll bring you live action from the first batch of League Cup fixtures.

However, for Shelley Kerr's national side, the focus is now on starting the great escape to the European Championship finals with a must-win against Finland at Easter Road.

If they don't, their hopes of reaching a third consecutive major finals are all but over.

Out of Scotland's hands

If tonight wasn't a must win, and arguably it was, it definitely is on Tuesday, when Finland visit Easter Road.

That night, Portugal play host to Albania, who earlier today eased to a 4-0 victory at home to Cyprus but lost to the Portuguese at home.

You would expect Portugal, who are 11 places behind a Scottish side who are 21st in the world rankings, to take three points at home.

Although, the Scots should win in Cyprus and will hope to reverse the score against Portugal at home, they might have to rely on the result between Finland and Portugal going their way.

However, it is more likely that Scotland are chasing qualification as a best runner-up or via the play-offs.

BBC Sport

Kerr 'still in control'

Scotland assistant Andy Thomson points out that Portugal always make it difficult for their opponents and that England only won 1-0 there through a late goal.

He also insists that Shelley Kerr not being there because of having to self-isolate was not an excuse because the head coach was controlling matters in the background.

Scots 'will pick themselves up'

More from Scotland assistant Andy Thomson...

"We need to win all our three remaining games and against Finland it will be another tough game against a very aggressive and well-organised opponent," he tells BBC Scotland.

"If we move the ball swiftly in the way we did in the second half tonight, we will create opportunities and we just need to take them.

"The players will pick themselves up. They are disappointing and devastated about the result, but they will feel they can qualify in some kind of way and they know they have to beat Finland."

'Should do better'

Scotland assistant Andy Thomson tells BBC Radio Scotland: "We always knew it was going to be a difficult game against well-organised opposition.

"It is difficult to create chances against them, but I felt we did it on a number of occasions. We didn't make the most of those opportunities and then concede a poor goal.

"At worst, we should come out with a draw. Very similar to Finland in performance. Happy with their effort, happy that we created opportunities, but you need to take them and we didn't and got punished."

Reaction from Scotland assistant Andy Thomson coming up...

Kerr needs to find missing link

Gemma Fay

Former Scotland goalkeeper on the BBC Radio Scotland

The players stepped up to the challenge in the second half. I think, if we had played like that in the first half, it would have been too much for Portugal. The task for Shelley ahead of facing Finland is finding out how these players have not reached the level they are capable of

Finland and Portugal joint top

Scotland are now four points behind both Finland, who lead on goal difference, and tonight's winners, Portugal, with only three games remaining in qualifying Group E.

Portugal have now won three in a row after losing their previous three. Scotland have lost two in a row after six wins on the trot.

The pendulum seems to swinging away from Shelley Kerr's side and they will again be without the head coach on Tuesday at home to Finland after she had to self-isolate because of coming into contact with a positive case of Covid-19.

Scots not living up to billing

Steven Thompson

Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

I think we are better than Portugal, we are better than Finland, but we haven't reached the level of performance required in either game and, if you don't do that, you are not going to qualify

Focus on Finland

Julie Fleeting

Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

The players need to forget the result tonight. They need to build for the game against Finland. We played well against them last time and know we are capable of getting a result against them

Creating chances but not scoring

Gemma Fay

Former Scotland goalkeeper on the BBC Radio Scotland

They are creating chances - and created them against Finland. I don't there are massive problems, but they are problems that need to be fixed

One that got away

Tale of missed and taken chances

Gemma Fay

Former Scotland goalkeeper on the BBC Radio Scotland

Scotland had their chances and they didn't take them. Portugal had one clear-cut chance and took theirs. However, if we win all three of our matches, we can still qualify

FULL-TIME Portugal 1-0 Scotland

Two defeats in a row - and a second in a row to Portugal - and Scotland's European Championship qualification hopes are hanging by a thread.

Ana Borges scuffed winner midway through the second half gave Portugal what was probably a deserved win for the hosts.

Last chance for Scotland as a free-kick is flighted into the penalty box, Rachel Corsie rises at the back of the penalty box, but her glancing header is wide and wasteful.

Portugal make another substitution to waste time...

The seconds are ticking away for Scotland and could it be time up for their hopes of qualifying for the Euros as group leaders?

Another chance for Scotland as Erin Cuthbert gathers in space just outside the penalty box.

But the forward's low drive is saved low by goalkeeper Patricia Morais after taking a deflection as we approach two minutes of stoppage time.

Blow for Scots

Another big chance for Jen Beattie.

Almost identical to the one she had early in the first half.

Caroline Weir flights in a fine free-kick, the centre-half rises high above the defence, but she heads wide.