What a nation, Scotland should be proud. 18,555 stood up to sing the famous national anthem “Flowers of Scotland” at Hampden Park. It was one of those moments where you just stood and admired the atmosphere in a football ground full of history.
Shelley Kerr’s side had been looking forward to this game since the domestic leagues finished. There was a huge build-up to this game ever since it was announced that they would play at Hampden Park, and the game did not disappoint.
If you could call it a five-goal thriller than you might not be far off. Scotland started positive and should have taken an early lead, but Jamaica who looked very good on the counter-attack took the lead after fifteen minutes after Khadija Shaw beat Lee Alexander who had no chance of stopping the effort. Erin Cuthbert equalised in spectacular fashion after a drive from twenty-five yards. A clinical finish for Cuthbert who has taken her club form onto the international stage.
Scotland started to look the stronger side but Jamaica always looked dangerous on the break, especially with their pace. Five minutes after scoring the host were given a free kick just outside the box and there was only one person that was going to take it. Step up Caroline Weir, she placed the ball down and took a few steps back and planted the ball past the helpless Sydney Schneider.
The second half started off in disastrous fashion as substitute Sophie Howard played the ball against Shaw who ran on and slotted the ball past Alexander. Despite the equaliser Scotland did not sit back and kept pushing for the next goal, knowing any mistake at the back could cost the game. Kirsty Smith had an impressive second half, running up that right flank forming a strong partnership with Lisa Evans. They looked the likelier side to score.
In the seventy-fifth minute, Scotland won a corner, Weir ran across to take it. From agony to ecstasy Howard made up for her error as she rose above her marker to score the winner. Hampden Park made the loudest noise of the night when the ball went in the back of the next. After further substitutions and injuries to Jamaica’s front the line the game did not change the intensity was still there. There could have been more goals but the game finished three- two in favour of Scotland.
Shelley Kerr addressed the record crowd at the final whistle. A very positive vibe in the camp who head out to France now to face their rivals England on the 9th June in Nice.
