Scotland 3-0 Northern Ireland: Ruthless first-half display sweeps NI aside in friendly

Ruthless Scotland swept Northern Ireland aside in a friendly as they made it five games without defeat.

A fortuitous flick from Martha Thomas completed a trio of goals in six first-half minutes for the hosts.

Northern Ireland battled hard after the break and had a strong penalty claim turned down.

• Reaction & as it happened

On a bleak night in Dundee it took both teams a while to warm up until Caroline Weir and Cuthbert each forced a save out of Shannon Turner, making just her second appearance in the Northern Ireland goal.

Moments later, Kirsty Hanson’s delivery flashed across goal with Weir flicking the ball on before it ricocheted off Martha Thomas and Cuthbert inadvertently blocked her team-mate’s effort on the line.

The Chelsea midfielder made amends soon after, firing home from Emma Watson’s pass, with the ball squeezing past Turner at the front post.

Weir then whipped in a great corner that was helped on by Sam Kerr as the new Bayern Munich signing celebrated a quickfire second for Scotland.

Minutes later it was three for the hosts as Hanson’s enticing delivery cannoned into the path of Thomas and the ball flew past the helpless Turner.

Northern Ireland had chances to get a foothold in the game either side of half-time as Rachel Furness struck the post from long range, before Rebecca Holloway shot over the crossbar.

The visitors were also denied what looked a penalty during a goalmouth scramble, with a clumsy barge going unnoticed by the referee, and in stoppage time Danielle Maxwell knocked an effort wide.

Amy Rodgers and Kirsty Maclean made their Scotland debuts from the bench, while Cuthbert and Hanson continued their outstanding displays into the second half with the action petering out.

What they said

Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa: “Very pleased for the girls. No injuries as well, that’s what we wanted. We want to inspire people – that’s our job.

“We created chances before the first goal, but we needed that confidence. The second half was difficult for both teams when the pitch became a bit heavy.

“We have a good group, an excellent mix of young and experienced players. It was a good opportunity for the players today.”

Scotland midfielder Erin Cuthbert: “We were really building on the momentum from the last camp. We’re really building, but it means nothing if we don’t go and beat Finland now.

“That’s what we’ll be hoping to do in preparation for the Nations League. We’ve got to look forward – there are important games coming up, but we’re up for the challenge and we’ll give it everything we’ve got.

“It’s off-season – we’ve been working hard to push each other for a performance like that.”

What’s next

Scotland travel to Finland for a friendly on Tuesday, 18 July (17:00 BST), while Northern Ireland go to the Czech Republic on the same night. (18:30).

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