Scotland beat Danes for first time in final Algarve Cup game

Denmark 0: 1 Scotland
Scotland: Ross (34)

A goal by Jane Ross in the 34th minute gave the Scotswomen their first ever win over Denmark, the EURO 2017 finalists.

As well as beating the Danes for the first time, the result saw Scotland finish a creditable fifth in the Algarve Cup after two wins in three games.

Coach Shelley Kerr made ten changes to the side that beat Iceland for the match against a side actually ranked above Scotland in the FIFA rankings with only Glasgow City’s Leanne Crichton starting both games.

Indeed it was two of the newer names that almost gave Scotland a dream start in seven minutes when 22-year-old Durham striker Zoe Ness hit the Danish crossbar after meeting a cross from the more experienced Fiona Brown in her 34th appearance for Scotland.

Jenna Fife was the third keeper to represent Scotland in this 2019 Algarve Cup and she was tested early when, on 23 minutes, Frederikke Thogersen’s unleashed an effort which necessitated a smart save at her near post from the Hibernian keeper.

Fife had to stay alert, denying Thogersen again, and then keeping former Portland Thorns star Nadia Nadim off the scoresheet. Fife’s role in keeping the game scoreless was emphasised moments later when Scotland took the lead.

A superb aerial ball by the experienced Glasgow City defender Joanne Love found Ross racing free. Ross’ deflected effort beat Katrine Abel in the Denmark goal to give Scotland the only goal of the game.

Ness was unfortunate again shortly after, rattling Abel’s crossbar for a second time from 25 yards out, in an effort that showed the confidence of the youngster who, although making just her seventh appearance for the first team, has been part of the Scottish international set up at Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 level. If you include those games, this was her 48th Scotland game, valuable experience for someone still so young.

Other heroines emerged in the defensive effort. A Joelle Murray header kept Scotland ahead before half time as Denmark’s quality began to tell.

As the newer recruits tired, Kerr introduced the wiser heads and legs provided by Kim Little, Caroline Weir and Rachel Corsie to see the game out and freshen up the effort. It proved to be a masterstroke as Corsie was Scotland’s last line in defence when Nicoline Sorensen sent an effort goalbound which would have provided an equaliser for the Danes.

Scotland held on for an historic victory which may give Kerr some pleasant selection problems.

After playing two European opponents, Scotland will now prepare for their match with Argentina by facing South American opposition in April, the SFA having announced friendlies with Chile and Brazil in Spain as they prepare for the World Cup.

Scotland: Fife; Arthur, J Murray (Corsie 58), Fr Brown, Lauder; Love (Weir 70), Crichton (Little 70); Fi Brown (Emslie 85), C Murray (Harrison 58), Ross; Ness (Arnot 58).

Subs not used: Alexander, Lynn, Smith, Beattie, Docherty, Cuthbert.

Denmark: Abel; Theresa, Ballisager, Arnth (Henriksen 75), S. Holmgaard; Gejl, K. Holmgaard (Tavlo 59), Junge (Harder 59), Thogerson (Sorensen 45); Bruun (Troelsgaard 65), Nadim (Thestrup 75).

Subs not used: Johansen, Skerle, Sandvej, Jankovska.