Scots triumph over Iceland 4-1 in second Algarve Cup game

Scotland 4 : 1 Iceland

Scotland: Arnot (13, 66), Cuthbert (32), Little (55)

Iceland: Gunnarsdottir (57)

Scotland bounced back from their opening defeat against Canada with a 4-1 win over Iceland in their second Algarve Cup game at the Estadio Municipal da Bela Vista in Parchal.

Lizzie Arnot scored twice for the Scots who led 2-0 at half time. Erin Cuthbert and Kim Little added the others against the Icelanders, who are ranked 22nd in the world two places below Scotland. Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir scored for the Icelanders in the 57th minute, two minutes after Little had scored Scotland’s third.

Manager Shelley Kerr made five changes from the side who faced Canada. Goalkeeper Shannon Lynn replaced Lee Alexander, while in the outfield there were starts for Kirsty Smith, Leanne Crichton, Claire Emslie, and Arnot.

Only captain Rachel Corsie, Jennifer Beattie, Nicola Docherty, Caroline Weir, Little and Cuthbert retained their starting berths from the match just three days prior.

Unlike the match with Canada, Scotland were able to turn early possession into goals. After 13 minutes, Arnot finished coolly after the Iceland defence had failed to deal with Little’s inswinging corner.

Cuthbert could have doubled the lead on the half hour when clean through but dragged her shot wide. Two minutes later, she made no mistake though as she gave an Emslie cutback the finish it deserved to double the Scots’ lead.

Little, Weir and Arnot continued to torment their opponents and it was no surprise when Scotland went 3-0 ahead.  Little was involved in the move twice, first receiving Smith’s cut back pass before reacing first to Cuthbert’s blocked effort to beat Sonny Lara Thrainsdottir from 18 yards.

Iceland eventually gained a foothold in the game and Gunnarsdottir brought the game back to 3-1 two minutes later.

Scotland though held their nerve and Manchester United’s Arnot took the opportunity to score her second of the game and her second for Scotland.

Late substitute Abi Harrison almost joined her on the list of Scotland scorers but an offside flag denied the Edinburgh forward her moment.

Iceland: Thrainsdottir; Gisladottir, Jonsdottir (Vidarsdottir 73), Viggosdottir, G Arnadottir (A Arnadottir 59); Jonsdottir, Hauksdottir (Gardarsdottir 45); Albertsdottir (Magnusdottir 45), Gunnarsdottir, Honnudottir (Jensen 58); Gudmundsdottir (Brynjarsdottir 81).

Subs not used: S Sigurdardottir, Hrafnkelsdottir, Atladottir, I Sigurdardottir, Thorvaldsdottir, Sigfusdottir.

Scotland: Lynn; Smith, Corsie (capt), Beattie, Docherty (Lauder 87); Crichton (Love 71), Weir; Emslie (Fi Brown 61), Little, Arnot (Harrison 87); Cuthbert (Ness 61).

Subs not used: Alexander, Fife, Ross, Arthur, J Murray, C Murray, Fr Brown.