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Scotland drew 3-3 with Argentina in a game they had to win as they exited their first World Cup at the group stage.
Scotland were 3-0 up and seemingly heading into the knock-out stages until a 16-minute collapse and a contentious VAR decision saw Shelley Kerr’s side bow out of the tournament.
With three points essential for progression, Scotland were left to wonder about what could have been as Argentina came from behind to earn their second point of the tournament and left the Scots finishing bottom of Group D.
Strong start from Scotland
In their first two games, Scotland had started slow and only come to life in the last half an hour when it was too little too late. With qualification at stake, they were a completely different side. Scotland continually threatened from the start of the game and were rewarded for their efforts with 19 minutes gone.
Erin Cuthbert’s thunderous strike was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa but Cuthbert was alive to the rebound and hooked the ball across the face of goal for the stretching Kim Little to prod in from six yards. For the first time at the World Cup, Scotland had taken the lead.
Photo: Jeff Wong
Second half dominance provides hope
Just one goal to the good, Scotland set out to increase their lead in the second half. Four minutes later, they were 2-0 up. Caroline Weir’s cross was whipped in and headed home from close range by Jen Beattie to give the Scots a two-goal cushion.
Erin Cuthbert then became the latest Scotland player to score her first World Cup goal. Caroline Weir swung in a corner which Leanne Crichton met with a powerful header. Correa tipped it onto the post but the ball fell to Cuthbert who fired home from close range to make it 3-0.
Photo: Jeff Wong
Argentina start the comeback
Less than 20 minutes remained of the match when Scotland completely squandered their lead. Milagros Menendez began the comeback after slack defending at the back gave Argentina a route back into the game.
Argentina smelled blood and the momentum shifted. Against the run of play, Florencia Bonsegundo hammered a shot from distance, more in hope than expectation, and it went in off the underside of the crossbar, catching Scotland keeper Lee Alexander completely off-guard.
Photo: Jeff Wong
Three penalties conceded in three games as heartbreak is confirmed
Argentina’s third and final goal was the most controversial of them all. They were awarded a penalty to which there could be no complaints, after Sophie Howard slid in and sent Aldana Cometti tumbling to the ground.
After a lengthy VAR review, the referee awarded the penalty and for the third game in a row, the Scots had conceded a spot kick. Bonsegundo stepped up and her penalty was brilliantly saved by Alexander but a retake was then ordered because she had both feet off the line as she made the save.
Bonsegundo was undeterred and converted at the second attempt to leave Scotland devastated and heading home.
The game finished in bizarre fashion. Despite the two VAR decisions consuming over seen minutes of time, the assistant referee held up a board indicating just four minutes added time.
Even more bizarrely, the North Korean referee blew the full time whistle just 80 seconds later to the bemusement of both sets of players.
As the players tried to remonstrate with her, she left the field leaving both sides out there wondering if someone from FIFA would order the required time to be played.
