Scotland suffer miserable Nations League defeat to Netherlands in Nijmegen

Scotland slumped to a 4-0 defeat against the Netherlands in Nijmegen to remain winless in Women’s Nations League Group A1.

First-half goals from Danielle van de Donk and Esmee Brugts put the Dutch in charge at Goffertstadion and a brace from Lineth Beerensteyn after the break sealed a convincing win.

The Netherlands, who beat World Cup finalists England last time out, took the lead in the 12th minute when Van de Donk nipped in ahead of Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson to poke home Kerstin Casparij’s deflected cross at the near post.

Scotland twice threatened to equalise, Claire Emslie unable to take advantage of an unexpected spill by Daphne van Domselaar before Kirsty Hanson drew a fingertip save out of the Netherlands goalkeeper with a superb 25-yard effort, but it was the hosts who made the next breakthrough.

Scotland defender Sophie Howard could only slice Jill Roord’s scuffed shot into the path of Brugts inside the box and she clinically finished low into the corner of the net.

A diving Gibson prevented Netherlands captain Sherida Spitse from making it 3-0 with long-range thunderbolt but the hosts, ranked seventh in the world – 16 places above Scotland – needed only eight minutes of the second half to increase their advantage.

Scotland coach Pedro Martinez Losa introduced Lisa Evans at half-time for her 100th cap but she barely had time to settle into the game before a long ball gave Beerensteyn the chance to race through the heart of the visiting defence and finish with a lofted shot over the stranded Gibson.

Rachel McLauchlan tried to give Scotland a lifeline but her shot was comfortable for Van Domselaar and at the other end Gibson did well to prevent Beerensteyn adding a fourth for the Dutch.

Beerensteyn would not be denied though, and she notched her second of the night in the 71st minute when she headed home Damaris Egurrola’s cross at the far post.

To add to Scotland’s headaches, the Netherlands introduced all-time record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema with seven minutes remaining. The 27-year-old made her Arsenal return last weekend after 11 months out with a knee injury and she received a huge ovation from the Dutch fans on Friday night.

Miedema was unable to add to her 95 international goals but the damage had been done as the Netherlands, for whom Beerensteyn was denied a hat-trick by a point-blank block from Gibson, moved top of the group on six points, while Scotland remain bottom on one point.